GENERAL AWARENESS

July 2021
Vol. 9, Issue 11

A PUBLICATION OF GYANM EDUCATION &

TRAINING INSTITUTE PVT. LTD.
SCO 13-14-15, 2ND FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH
NATIONAL NEWS
Contents MAY
CURRENT AFFAIRS
03-35 MODI ATTENDS EUROPEAN COUNCIL MEETING
April 2021 to May 2021
BULLET NEWS
36-58
Dec 2020 to March 2021
LATEST 100 GK MCQs 59-66
SBI CLERK - Prelims
67-83
MODEL TEST PAPER
Current GK Bytes 84-109

FIGURES TO REMEMBER
REPO RATE 4.00%
REVERSE REPO RATE 3.35%
MARGINAL STANDING 4.25% Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually joined in the Meeting of the European
FACILITY RATE Council on May 9 as a special invitee of European Council President, Charles
BANK RATE 4.25% Michel. The meeting was hosted by Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, as
STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO 18.00% Portugal currently holds the Presidency of the European Union Council.
CASH RESERVE RATIO 3.00% All the 27 heads of nations of European Union attended the Meeting. A wide range
BASE RATE(s) 8.15 to
of issues were discussed at the meeting including Free Trade Agreement, Foreign
(of various banks) 9.40% policy and security, controlling COVID-19, Climate change and environment,
Trade, connectivity and technology, Non-proliferation and Disarmament, among
INDIA’sRANK IN others.
E-commerce Index 2020 71st
MODI HOLDS VIRTUAL SUMMIT WITH UK PM
World Happiness Report 2021 139th
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson
Intellectual Property (IP) Index 2021 40th participated in the India UK Virtual Summit on May 04.The two sides discussed
Economic Freedom Index 121st the entire gamut of bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global
Scientific Articles Published 3rd issues of mutual interest.
They adopted an ambitious ‘Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties to a
The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 7th
‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. The Roadmap will pave the way for a
Democracy Index 2020 53rd deeper and stronger engagement over the next ten years in the areas of people-
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 86th to-people contacts, trade and economy, defence and security, climate action and
2020 health.
Innovation Index 50th
Ease of Doing Business 63rd FINALLY, A DRUG FOR CURING COVID-19
Human Freedom Index 111st The Drugs Controller General of India has given
Human Development Index 131st its approval for the emergency use of the anti-
Receiving Spam Calls 9th COVID drug- 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)
Global Hunger Index 2020 94th developed by the Defence Research and
Teacher Status Index (GTSI) 6th Development Organisation (DRDO). The drug has
Asia Power Index 2020 4th
been approved as an adjunct therapy in the
Global Economic Freedom Index 105th
moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.
It can provide early relief from oxygen dependency among the patients, which can
Human Capital Index 116th
be helpful as the second Covid-19 wave rages on across the country, and more
Global Innovation Index 48th
patients continue to need medical oxygen. The drug has been developed by
World Risk Index (WRI) 89th
DRDO’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi in
Budget Transparency Index 53rd
collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 3
“SAMUDRA SETU-II” TO BRING OXYGEN
The Indian Navy launched “Operation Samudra Setu-II”
to help in faster transportation of medical oxygen and
other requirements from other countries to India, amid
its worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Seven Indian Naval
ships have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical
oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated
medical equipment from various countries.
INDIA TOPS IN RECEIVING REMITTANCES
India received over $ 83 billion in remittances in 2020, a
drop of just 0.2 per cent from the previous year, despite
a pandemic that devastated the world economy,
according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and
Development Brief. China was at second spot receiving
$ 59.5 billion in remittances in 2020 against USD 68.3
billion the previous year. Remittance outflow was the
maximum from the United States ($ 68 billion), followed
by UAE ($ 43 billion) and Saudi Arabia ($ 34.5 billion).
INDIA GOOD IN GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVENESS
India has been placed
at 49th position
among 104 nations in
the Chandler Good
Government Index
(CGGI) 2021. The
Index observed that
“Civil service
innovation and capacity building is a key focus for the
Indian government”. Finland has secured the top
position in the Index, followed by Switzerland and
Singapore at second and third spot, respectively.
Venezuela is the last ranked country at 104th spot.
The CGGI is an annual index developed by the Chandler
Institute of Governance, Singapore. It measures the
effectiveness of the governments in 104 countries across
the world in terms of their capabilities and outcomes. The
index focuses on seven pillars: leadership and foresight;
robust laws and policies; strong institutions; financial
stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and
reputation; and helping people rise.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
WORLD’s 1st VIRTUAL ARBITRATION PLATFORM
Jupitice Justice Technologies, a Chandigarh-based legal
tech startup, has launched the world’s first private
digital platform to conduct virtual arbitration,
conciliation, mediation and other Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
Powered by AI & Blockchain, the startup has launched an
online justice service marketplace to file and resolve
disputes online between individuals, organizations and
Governments, through ADR Mechanisms, i.e. Arbitration,
Conciliation, Mediation, etc., all online on a single
platform. Like any other arbitration award, any online
arbitration award received on the Jupitice platform is as
legally enforceable as a court decree.
APRIL
MODI HOLDS TALKS WITH NETHERLANDS PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit
with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte on April
9. The two leaders discussed measures to strengthen
bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on the
regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both
countries have wide ranging cooperation in areas of
water management, agriculture and food processing,
healthcare, smart cities and urban mobility, science and
technology, renewable energy and space.
The two countries also share a robust economic
partnership with the Netherlands being the third largest
investor in India. There are over 200 Dutch companies
present in India with a similar presence of Indian
businesses in the Netherlands.
6thRAISINA DIALOGUE HELD IN DELHI
The 6th edition of the Raisina Dialogue was held in
virtual mode from April 13 to 16. The Dialogue is
India’s flagship conference on geoeconomics and
geopolitics and is held annually since 2016. It
represents India’s contribution to the global efforts for
discovering solutions, providing stability, and
identifying opportunities to a century that has already
witnessed an eventful two decades.
The Raisina Dialogue is jointly organised by the External
Affairs Ministry and Observer Research Foundation, a
Delhi based global think tank. The theme for the 2021
Edition is "#ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of
Control". The name Raisina Dialogue comes from Raisina
Hills, the area where India’s Rashtrapati Bhavan is
located.
4
SC GOES IN FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Supreme Court of India on April 7 launched its
Artificial Intelligence portal: SUPACE (Supreme Court
Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency). The system is
first of its kind in the world.
Through this portal, the SC intends to leverage machine
learning to deal with the vast amounts of data received
at the time of filing of cases. The apex court is burdened
with pendency and the bulky volumes of records being
filed.
This system will help in taking out the important facts
and the issues that the parties have raised. The portal
aims to assist the judges, court staff and litigants in
several ways by addressing existing bottlenecks resulting
in excessive delays.
IISC, B’LURU & CALCUTTA UNIV. RANKED BEST
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bangalore) has
secured the top position among the best higher
education institutes in India, while Calcutta University
was ranked as the best varsity in the country, as per the
recently published Academic Ranking of World
Universities (ARWU 2020). However, in the world
ranking, their rank was below 500. At the global level,
Harvard University, USA was placed at the top, followed
by Stanford University, also from the USA.
DCGI ALLOWS EMERGENCY USE OF SPUTNIK V
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted its
approval to Dr Reddy's Laboratories on April 13 for
restricted emergency use of Russian COVID-19 vaccine
Sputnik V in the country.
Initially, the company will import the Sputnik vaccine
into India and later it will be produced locally. Sputnik
V has been approved for use in countries with a total
population of 3 billion people, or about 40 percent of the
global population, and India has become the 60th
country to approve Sputnik V.
Dr Reddy's had partnered with the Russian Direct
Investment Fund (RDIF) in September 2020 to conduct
clinical trials of Sputnik V and distribute the vaccine in
India. Currently, India is using two vaccines - Covishield
by Serum Institute of India Ltd. and Covaxin by Bharat
Biotech.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
INDIA FARES WELL IN INTERNET USAGE
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), in partnership
with Facebook, released the Inclusive Internet Index
2021, which measures the extent to which internet is
available and affordable and to what extent people
around the world are using the web.
India has been ranked at 49th spot. The index was
topped by Sweden, followed by the USA and Spain.
The Index surveyed 120 countries, representing 98
percent of global GDP and 96 percent of global
population. The overall Index score is based on four
parameters, which are: Availability, Affordability,
Relevance and Readiness categories.
INDIA AT 140thRANK IN GENDER EQUALITY
India has fallen 28 places in the World Economic
Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, and is now one
of the worst performers in South Asia, trailing behind
neighbours Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and
Myanmar -— it is now ranked 140 among 156 countries.
The country was ranked 112th among 153 countries in
2020.
According to the report, India has closed 62.5 percent of
its gender gap till date. Iceland is the most gender-equal
country in the world for the 12th time, followed by
Finland and Norway.
INDIA FARES POORLY IN PRESS FREEDOM
Reporters Without Borders, a Paris based international
NGO associated with guarding the freedom of press,
released the World Press Freedom Index 2021 to
evaluate the press freedom situation in 180 countries
and territories.
The Index placed India pretty low at 142nd position.
Norway retained its top spot for the fifth year in running,
followed by Finland and Denmark at second and third
place respectively. Eritrea is at the bottom of the index at
180th place.
INDIA NOT GOOD IN ENERGY PERFORMANCE
The World Economic Forum (WEF) prepared a report in
collaboration with Accenture, an Ireland based
multinational consulting firm to release the Energy
Transition Index (ETI). The Index tracks nations on the
current performance of their energy systems across
various aspects.
India has been ranked at the 87th position among 115 countries
covered by the Index. The top 10 countries in the index are
Western and Northern European countries. Sweden secured the
first position followed by Norway (2nd) and Denmark (3rd).
5

NEWS FROM STATES
MAY
SHERGAON IS THE BEST BMC IN INDIA
The Shergaon Biodiversity Management Committee
(BMC) in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh
has been given the ‘Best BMC in India’ award in the fifth
edition of the India Biodiversity Awards, given by the
National Biodiversity Authority of the union ministry of
environment, forests & climate change. The award
recognizes the efforts of individuals, communities and
institutions working towards biodiversity conservation,
sustainable use of biological resources, and biodiversity
governance.
The award was given on the occasion of the
International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22. The
awards carry a memento, a certificate and cash prize of
Rs 2 lakhs each for individuals and Rs 5 lakhs each for
institutions.
KARNATAKA TOPS IN SETTING UP HWCs
Karnataka has emerged at the top in establishing Health
& Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the Ayushman Bharat
Program to provide comprehensive primary health care
in rural areas in 2020-21. A total of 5,832 HWC have
been established till March 31this year against the
target of 4,653 centres given by the Centre. The State
upgraded 3,300 centres till March 31 against the given
target of 2263 centres.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
JHARKHAND TOPS IN SMART CITY PROJECTS
Jharkhand clinched the first position in the recent
ranking released by the Union Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs, Government of India, based on the
progress of the implementation of the Smart City
Mission's schemes running in 100 different cities of the
Country. It may be noted that Jharkhand has only one
city selected under the Mission, Ranchi. The Mission
was launched in 2015 with an outlay of Rs. 48,000 cr.
FIRST REAL TIME FLOOD REPORTING SYSTEM
Assam became the first Indian state to have a real-time
digital flood reporting system Flood Reporting and
Information Management System (FRIMS). With the
river Brahmaputra flowing at the crux, Assam is prone
to severe floods and erosion every year. FRIMS has been
developed jointly by Assam State Disaster Management
Agency and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
OIL PSUs TO DEVELOP BADRINATH DHAM
The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India, including IOC, BPCL,
HPCL, ONGC and GAIL, inked a MoU with the Shri
Badrinath Utthan Charitable Trust on May 06 for
construction and redevelopment of Shri Badrinath
Dham in Uttarakhand as a Spiritual Smart hill Town.
Under the MoUs, these PSUs will contribute Rs. 99.60
crore in the first phase of project.
Phase I will include developmental activities such as river
embankment work, building all-terrain motorable roads,
building bridges, beautifying existing bridges, establishing
gurukul facilities, developing public conveniences,
installing streetlights, etc.
APRIL
DISTRICT UDHAMPUR TOPS IN PMGSY
Udhampur district of the U T of Jammu and Kashmir
bagged top position at National level for successfully
implementing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY) during 2020-21. The district constructed
560.49 km roads in 2020-21.
Among states and UTs, Chhattisgarh secured top position
for constructing the highest length of rural roads. PMGSY
was launched on Dec 25, 2000 to provide all weather
‘pucca’ roads to connect villages with the nearest all
weather road. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry
of Rural Development.
6
RAJASTHAN TO PROVIDE FREE HEALTH INS.
Rajasthan became the first state in the country to
provide free health insurance facility to all the citizens
of the state. Named Chiranjeevi Health Insurance
Scheme, it is a cashless ‘mediclaim’ scheme where each
family will get annual health insurance up to 5 lakhs.
❖ The World Bank approved a $ 32 million support for
Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project to
improve management capacity and quality of health
services in Mizoram.
❖ The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank approved a loan for $ 300 million for canal-
based drinking water project in Punjab for ensuring
quality drinking water in Amritsar and Ludhiana.
❖ The Asian Development Bank approved a $ 484
million loan to improve the road maintenance and
transport connectivity in the Chennai-Kanyakumari
Industrial Corridor- CKIC in Tamil Nadu.
GOVT. INITIATIVES
MAY
GOVT PLANS TO SET UP 10 OSCs ABROAD
The Ministry of Women and Child Development in
collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs plans
to set up 10 ‘One-Stop Centres’ (OSCs) across nine
countries to provide integrated comprehensive support
to Indian women affected by violence in public or
private places. Selected countries include Australia,
Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi
Arabia, and the UAE. Each country will have one center,
except Saudi Arabia which will have two centers.
The OSCs assist women affected with violence with
immediate emergency response and rescue services,
medical assistance, aid women in filing FIR, psychological
or counseling support, legal assistance, shelter facility
such as stay homes, video conferencing facility along with
free police and court proceedings, etc.
OSCs are formed under the National Mission for
Empowerment of Women and are funded by the Nirbhaya
Fund. They were recommended by the Usha Mehra
Commission in February 2013 following the Nirbhaya
gangrape in December 2012. Currently, 700 OSCs are
operational in India and 300 more OSCs are to be set up
across the country in 2021.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
NATIONAL MISSION ON USE OF BIOMASS
The Union Power Ministry plans to set up a National
Mission on the use of biomass in coal-based thermal
power plants. It aims to address the issue of air
pollution because of farm-stubble burning and reducing
the carbon footprints of thermal power generation by
using farm stubble and other such organic bio-waste as
fuel for generating power. The mission will have a
minimum duration of five years and will also contribute
to the National Clean Air Programme.
Biomass is a plant or animal material that is used as a
fuel to produce heat or electricity. Some examples of
Biomass energy are crops residue, wood, and waste
from yards, forests, or farms.
‘SWAMIH’ GIVES HOPE TO FLAT BUYERS
More than 600 home buyers of Rivali Park of Mumbai
were handed over the much-awaited keys of their flats
on May 13. This is the first stalled project completed
with funding by SWAMIH (Special Window for
Affordable and Mid-Income Housing) Fund, which is
managed by SBICap Ventures Ltd. The scheme is
administered by the Department of Economic Affairs
under the Ministry of Finance. The government, in
November 2019, announced a Rs 25,000 crore-SWAMIH
fund to help complete over 1,500 stalled housing
projects comprising 4.58 lakh housing units which were
facing extreme cash crunch.
MIS LAUNCHED FOR AGARBATTI STICKS
The National Bamboo Mission launched an MIS
(Management Information Systems) based reporting
platform for agarbatti stick production. It will collate
the locations of stick making units, availability of raw
material, functioning of the units, production capacity,
and marketing. With the help of this module, the
linkages with the industry will be synergised better to
enable seamless procurement from production units.
APRIL
STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND LAUNCHED
Union Minister for
Commerce and Industry,
Piyush Goyal launched
the Startup India Seed
Fund Scheme (SISFS) on
April 19. The Fund aims
to provide financial
assistance to startups for
proof of concept, prototype development, product trials,
market entry and commercialization.
An amount of 945 crore rupees corpus will be divided over
the next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible
startups through eligible incubators across India. The
scheme is expected to support an estimated 3,600
startups through 300 incubators.
7
THREE NEW INITIATIVES OF NIXI LAUNCHED NOW A UNIQUE NUMBER FOR ALL LAND PLOTS
The Central Government plans to issue a 14-digit
identification number “Unique Land Parcel
Identification Number (ULPIN)” to every plot of land in
the country within a year’s time. It will subsequently
integrate its land records database with revenue court
records and bank records, as well as Aadhaar numbers
on a voluntary basis. The ULPIN scheme has been
launched in ten States this year and will be rolled out
across the country by March 2022.
The ULPIN will be just like the “Aadhaar for land”, a
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology number that would uniquely identify every surveyed
unveiled three path breaking initiatives for National parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in the
Internet Exchange of India, NIXI. These initiatives are IP hinterlands of rural India, where land records are
Guru, NIXI Academy and NIXI-IP-INDEX. outdated and often disputed. The identification will be
The IP Guru is a group to extend support to all the Indian
based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of the
entities who are finding it technically challenging to migrate
and adopt Internet Protocol version, IPv6. The NIXI Academy land parcel, and will be supplemented by detailed surveys
has been created to educate technical and non-technical people and geo-referenced cadastral (land record) maps
in India about technologies like IPv6 which will lead to better
management of Internet resources in the country. ‘ANAMAYA’ INITIATIVE FOR TRIBAL HEALTH
The NIXI-IP-INDEX portal will showcase IPv6 adoption rate in The Government launched on April 7 the Tribal Health
India and across the world. Collaborative ‘Anamaya’, a multi-stakeholder initiative
to converge efforts of various government agencies and
MISSION ‘AAHAAR KRANTI’ FOR NUTRITION
organizations to enhance the health and nutrition status
Government launched Aahaar Kranti, a mission
of the tribal communities of India.
dedicated to spread awareness about nutrition. It is
The initiative has been launched in association with Bill
designed to address the peculiar problem of hunger and
and Melinda Gates Foundation and Piramal Foundation.
diseases despite abundance, being faced by India and
It aims at enhancing the health and nutrition eco-system
the world. The movement proposes to address the
of the tribal communities of India. Later on, efforts will be
problem by working to rouse the people to the values
made to set up the National Council on Tribal Health and
and richness of India’s traditional diet, to the healing
a Tribal Health Cell to monitor healthcare needs in the
powers of local fruits and vegetables and to the miracles
tribal areas as well as implement the Tribal Health Action
of a balanced diet.
Plan..
Studies show that India produces as much as two times
the amount of calories it consumes. However, many in the MANAS APP TO PROMOTE WELLBEING
country are still malnourished. The root cause of this MANAS App launched to promote wellbeing across all
strange phenomenon is a lack of nutritional awareness. age groups. MANAS stands for Mental Health and
Keeping this in mind, Aahaar Kranti has been launched Normalcy Augmentation System. It has been endorsed
with the motto of Uttam Aahaar- Uttam Vichaar or Good as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science,
Diet-Good Thought. Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council. It is a
comprehensive, scalable, and national digital wellbeing
“SANKALP SE SIDDHI” DRIVE LAUNCHED
platform.
TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development
The application integrates the health and wellness efforts
Federation of India) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
of various government ministries, scientifically validated
launched “Sankalp se Siddhi” - Village and Digital
indigenous tools with gamified interfaces developed by
Connect Drive. It is a 100-day drive starting from April
various national bodies and research institutions.
1 under which150 teams (10 in each region from
TRIFED and State Implementation Agencies/Mentoring
Agencies/Partners) will visit ten villages each. The main
aim of this drive is to activate the Van Dhan Vikas
Kendras in these villages.
The teams will also identify tribal artisans and other
groups and empanel them as suppliers so that they can
have access to larger markets through the Tribes India
network – both, physical outlets and online stores. It is
expected that Sankalp Se Siddhi will aid in effecting a
complete transformation of the tribal ecosystem across
the country.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 8
‘SARTHAQ’ TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EDUCATION INDIA's BIGGEST FLOATING SOLAR PLANT
India's biggest floating solar power plant with a capacity
of 100 MW is being set up by the NTPC at its
Ramagundam thermal power plant reservoir in
Telangana. The project is expected to be completed by
May this year. The solar panels will cover 450-acre area
of the reservoir. NTPC's efforts to set up floating solar
power projects is aimed at reducing its carbon
footprints and accelerating its green energy production
to 30 percent of its capacity.

ONLINE COMPLAINT PORTAL FOR SCS

Government has launched an online Grievance
Management Portal of the National Commission for
Government released an implementation plan for school Scheduled Castes to facilitate online filing of complaints.
education under National Education Policy 2020, called The portal will enable victims to file their application
''Students'' and Teachers'' Holistic Advancement and other atrocity and services related grievances
through Quality Education (SARTHAQ)''. Developed by online and to get them addressed in a time bound
the Department of School Education and Literacy, it is manner.
an indicative and suggestive implementation plan for The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a
school education. constitutional body established with a view to provide
SARTHAQ will pave the way for children to meet the safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes.
diverse national and global challenges of the present and Vijay Sampla is the current chairman of the Commission.
the future. It would benefit all stakeholders including 25
crore students, 15 lakh schools, 94 lakh teachers. APP TO HELP IN LEARNING SANSKRIT
A mobile application called “Little Guru” launched to
‘E-SANTA’ TO PROMOTE MARINE PRODUCTS enable the user to learn Sanskrit, the ancient language of
Government launched the e-SaNta platform for the country, often called the ‘Language of the Gods’. The
promotion of marine products and for empowering app has been developed by the Indian council for
farmers as they will be able to sell their products cultural relations (ICCR) and produced by Bengaluru-
through this portal. The term eSaNta stands for based GamappSportsWizz Tech Pvt Ltd. It is available on
“Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA Farmers Google Play Store.
Trade in Aquaculture".
TAX CONCESSION ON SCRAPPAGE OF VEHICLES
The portal will revolutionise traditional aqua farming by
Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has proposed
providing a cashless, contactless and digital trade
up to 25 percent tax concession on the purchase of new
platform between farmers, exporters and domestic
vehicles on submission of scrappage certificate. Under
markets. It will act as a digital bridge for ending the
the draft rules, people will get 25 percent concession on
market divide and will provide an alternative marketing
the purchase of personal vehicles with vehicle
tool between the farmers and buyers by eliminating the
scrappage certificate while on the purchase of
middlemen.
commercial vehicles, the tax relief will be 15 percent. In
case of personal vehicles, the tax concessions will be
“MADHUKRANTI” LAUNCHED FOR HONEY available up to eight years while for commercial
Government launched Madhukranti (Honey Revolution)
vehicles, it will be up to 15 years.
Portal and Honey Corners by NAFED (National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) on April
7 to promote the honey mission in the country.
The Portal has been developed for online registration to
achieve the traceability source of honey as well as other
beehive products on the digital platform. The Honey
Corners are special offline spaces earmarked in over
200 NAFED stores for facilitating the sale of honey.
The portal is an initiative of the National Bee Board under
the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. Indian Bank
is the technical and banking partner for the development
of the digital platform. It will also help in checking the
quality and the source of adulteration of honey.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 9


ECONOMY & INDUSTRY
MAY
F’GRAINS PRODUCTION TO TOUCH NEW HIGH
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has
released the Third Advance Estimates of Principal Crops
for 2020-21. As per the estimates, India is expected to
register record foodgrain production of 305.44 million
tonnes in the year 2020-21, 7.94 million tonnes higher
than the previous high of 297.50 million tonnes
achieved during the year 2019-20.
A record production of rice is estimated at 121.46 million
tonnes whereas production of wheat is estimated at a
record 108.75 million tonnes. During 2020-21, total
pulses production is estimated at 25.58 million tonnes and
of oilseeds at 36.57 million tonnes.
INDIA ATTRACTS HIGHEST EVER FDI IN 2020-21
Despite the Corona pandemic and economic slowdown,
India attracted the highest ever total Foreign Direct
Investment or FDI inflow of $ 81.72 billion during the
financial year 2020-21. It is 10% higher than the FDI
received last year which was $ 74.39 billion. Among
states, Gujarat received the highest share, securing 37%
of total FDI, followed by Maharashtra receiving 27%
share and Karnataka receiving 13% share.
In terms of investor countries, Singapore is at the top with
29% share, followed by the USA (23%) and Mauritius
(9%). Industrywise, Computer Software & Hardware has
emerged as the top sector with around 44% share of the
total FDI Equity inflow followed by Construction
(Infrastructure) Activities (13%) and Services Sector
(8%) respectively.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
FDI RAISED TO 74% IN INSURANCE
The Finance Ministry notified final rules for raising
foreign investment limit to 74 per cent (from 49%
earlier) in the insurance sector, which came into effect
on May 19, 2021. The new arrangement is expected to
benefit 23 private life insurers, 21 private non-life
insurers and 7 specialised private health insurance
companies. It is felt that the finalisation of rules will be
helpful for the insurance sector to meet capital
requirements for pandemic induced expansion needs.
Foreign investment up to 26 per cent was permitted in the
insurance sector in 2000. Later, in 2015, this limit was
raised to 49 per cent. In this year’s budget speech, the
limit was raised further to 74 percent.
SHE TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Tata Communications announced the launch of the
'School of Hope and Empowerment' (S.H.E.) at the 2021
UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable
Development. S.H.E. is a multi-media, multi-stakeholder
impact communications initiative that aims to inspire at
least a million women to realise their dreams of
becoming entrepreneurs. Tata Communications will
create enabling environments for women from
marginalised communities to establish themselves as
entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.
UN PROJECTS INDIA’s GROWTH AT 10.1%
A report by the United Nations has projected that the
Indian economy will grow at 7.5% in the calendar year
2021. However, it is expected to grow by 10.1% in the
year 2022 which will make it the fastest-growing major
economy. However, the report has also cautioned that
the country’s growth in 2021 was extremely fragile due
to the second wave of the pandemic.
S&P SLASHES GDP GROWTH RATE TO 9.8%
The Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings have revised
down the GDP growth forecast of India to 9.8% for
2021-22, from 11% announced earlier. The downfall is
because of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
which can derail the credit conditions and budding
economic recovery of India.
“The increasing number of COVID-19 variants infection
cases and limited vaccination coverage point towards a
peak in infection rate around late June. This peak could
have adverse effects on the funding and credit conditions”,
the study mentioned.
10
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 11
 APRIL
INDIA TO GROW BY 12.5%: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest
World Economic Outlook report has upgraded its
growth projection for India by one per cent to 12.5 per
cent for the Financial Year 2021-22. As per the report,
the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and vast sums of
government aid will accelerate global economic growth
to a record high this year in a powerful rebound from
the pandemic recession.
For the year ended March 2021, it has projected a
contraction of 8 percent while for next year (2022-23),
growth is expected to be around 6.9 percent.
ADB PROJECTS INDIA’S GROWTH AT 11%
The Asian Development Bank, Manila released its
flagship report Asian Development Outlook 2021 on
April 28. As per the report Indian economy is projected
to grow at 11 per cent in the current financial year
(2021-22) amid the "strong" vaccine drive. However,
the recent surge in Covid cases may put the country's
economic recovery at "risk".
INDIAN GDP TO GROW BY 7.5 TO 12.5%
The latest South Asia Economic Focus report released
by the World Bank says that India's economy has
bounced back amazingly from the COVID-19 pandemic
and nationwide lockdown over the last year, but it is not
out of the woods yet.
The slowdown was caused by a decline in private
consumption growth and shocks to the financial sector,
which compounded pre-existing weaknesses in
investment. The report has predicted that the country's
real GDP growth for fiscal year 2021-22 could range from
7.5 to 12.5 per cent.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
HSN/SAC CODE MADE MANDATORY
From April 1 this year, GST taxpayers having turnover of
more than 5 crore rupees in the preceding financial year
will have to furnish 6 digits Harmonised System of
Nomenclature HSN Code, or Service Accounting Code,
SAC on the invoices issued for supplies of taxable goods
and services. Those with turnover of up to ₹5 crore in
the preceding financial year, would be required to
mandatorily furnish four-digit HSN code on B2B
invoices.
Six digits HSN codes for goods have been developed by the
World Customs Organisation and are universally
common. Therefore, common HSN codes apply to Customs
and GST. HSN search facility is available on the GST
portal.
For the services, the six-digit SAC codes are issued by CBIC
to uniformly classify each service under the applicable
rate of GST. Each service has a unique SAC.
BANKING & FINANCE
MAY
RBI IMPOSES Rs. 10 Cr. FINE ON HDFC BANK
RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 10 crore on HDFC
Bank on May 28 for violation of provisions under
various sections of the Banking Regulation Act. The
action was taken on the basis of deficiencies found in
regulatory compliance of provisions of section 6(2) and
section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Section 8
of the Banking Regulation Act states that a bank cannot
directly or indirectly deal with buying, selling, or
bartering of goods.
The penalty was imposed following a complaint that the
Bank forced its customers to purchase a vehicle tracking
device for four years. This was in contravention of the
above-mentioned sections of the Banking Regulations Act
that prohibit banks from indulging in non-financial
businesses.
RBI TRANSFERS Rs. 99 BILLION TO GOVT
Reserve Bank decided to transfer Rs 99,122 crore as
surplus to Centre for nine months ended March 31,
2021. The decision was taken at the Central Board
meeting under the chairmanship of RBI Governor
Shaktikanta Das. It may be noted that the Reserve
Bank's accounting year has changed from this year to
April-March from earlier July-June.
The RBI also approved a Rs 1,76,000 crore ($24.8 billion)
dividend payment to the government, including Rs
1,48,000 crore for FY20. RBI earns via interest income on
account of open market operations (OMOs), foreign
exchange (FX) gains, and writing back of excess risk
provisions.
12
PPIs CAN WITHDRAW THROUGH ATMs/POS
Now money kept in various online wallets like Amazon
pay, Ola money, Mobikwik, Phone pe, Delhi Metro Card
etc. can be withdrawn using an ATM or PoS (Point of
Sale Terminal). In a notification issued on May 19,
Reserve Bank of India permitted all non-bank payment
prepaid instruments (PPIs) to provide this service for
cash withdrawal of up to Rs. 2,000 per transaction with
maximum limit of Rs. 10,000 per month. However, for
all such transactions, using card or wallet PIN or other
additional authentication will be mandatory.
RBI JOINS SUPERVISORS NETWORK
The Reserve Bank of India joined the Central Banks and
Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System
(NGFS), Paris as a Member. RBI expects to benefit from
the membership of NGFS by learning from and
contributing to global efforts on Green Finance which
has assumed significance in the context of climate
change.
The NGFS is a group of Central banks and supervisors
willing to share the best practices and contribute to the
development of the environment and climate risk
management in the financial sector, while mobilising
mainstream finance to support the transition towards a
sustainable economy. The System was launched at the
Paris One Planet Summit in December 2017.
IDBI LAUNCHES DIGITAL LOAN PROCESSING
IDBI Bank launched its fully digitised, end-to-end, Loan
Processing System (LPS) for its MSME and Agri
borrowers. This new system seamlessly integrates all
the essential steps of loan processing, right from
application to processing, appraisal, assessment,
sanction, documentation and disbursal.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
APRIL
RBI RETAINS REPO RATE AT 4 PERCENT
The Reserve Bank held the first bi-monthly meeting of
its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in the current
financial year on April 7. Concerned over the fresh Covid
wave and elevated food inflation, the MPC decided to
keep the benchmark interest rate - Repo Rate
unchanged at 4 percent. Consequently, the Marginal
Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate would
remain unchanged at 4.25 per cent. The reverse repo
rate will also continue to be at 3.35 percent.
This is the fifth time in a row that the MPC has decided to
keep the policy rate unchanged. The RBI had last revised
its policy rate on May 22, 2020. The central bank has
retained a growth projection of 10.5 per cent for the
current financial year as was estimated in its February bi-
monthly policy.
INFLATION TARGET FOR RBI RETAINED AT 4%
The government has decided to keep the inflation-
targeting framework for the RBI unchanged for the next
five-year period beginning 1 April, 2021. The inflation
mandate requires RBI to keep inflation at 4%, with a 2
percentage point leeway on either side. This was
announced by Tarun Bajaj, Economic Affairs Secretary
in the Finance Ministry. The inflation target is reviewed
every five years.
RBI FIXES TENURE OF BANK HEADS
The Reserve Bank has capped the tenure of Managing
Director and Chief Executive (MD & CEO) of commercial
banks to a maximum of 15 years. The same limit will
also be applicable to whole time directors. Further, the
MD & CEO or WTD who is also a promoter/ major
shareholder, cannot hold these posts for more than 12
years. The upper age limit for MD & CEO and WTDs in
private banks has been retained at 70 years.
The revised instructions will be applicable to all the
Private Sector Banks including Small Finance Banks
(SFBs) and wholly owned subsidiaries of Foreign Banks.
However, it will not be applicable to foreign banks
operating as branches in India.
13
RBI RESTRICTS AMEX AND DINERS CLUB RBI’s REGULATIONS REVIEW AUTHORITY
The Reserve Bank has decided to set up a new
Regulations Review Authority (RRA 2.0) from May 1,
2021, to review the regulations, circulars, reporting
systems and compliance procedures of the central bank
for streamlining them and making them more effective
and efficient. The RRA headed by M Rajeshwar Rao,
Deputy Governor, will have a time frame of one year.

POs MAY OPEN ‘ZERO BALANCE’ ACCOUNTS

The government has amended the Post Office Savings
Account Scheme rules to allow certain people to open
zero balance basic savings accounts with the post office.
Reserve Bank of India imposed restrictions on American Currently, post office savings accounts come with a
Express Banking Corp and Diners Club International minimum balance requirement that must be maintained
Limited from adding new customers to their card mandatorily.
networks from 1st of May, 2021 for non-compliance of As per a notification by the Ministry of Finance dated
RBI’s directions regarding mandatory storage of April 9, a basic savings account (or zero balance
customer data within systems in India. The apex bank account) with the post office can be opened by an
clarified that the order will not impact existing individual (a) who is a registered adult member of any
customers. government welfare scheme and (b) by the guardian of
Both the companies are Payment System Operators a minor whose name is registered for any government
authorised to operate card networks in the country under benefit.
the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act).
In April 2018, all payment system operators were directed
by RBI to ensure that within a period of six months the
entire data (full end-to-end transaction
details/information collected/carried/processed as part
of the message/payment instruction) relating to payment
systems operated by them is stored in a system only in
India.
At present, banks allow customers to open zero balance
RBI PANEL TO REVIEW WORKING OF ARCs
accounts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed
The Reserve Bank constituted a six-member panel to
banks to open zero balance accounts under Jan-Dhan
carry out a comprehensive review of the working of
Yojana scheme/Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account
Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) in the financial
(BSBDA).
sector ecosystem. The panel will be headed by former
Executive Director of RBI, Sudarshan Sen.
MAX. BALANCE HIKED IN PAYMENT BANKS
ARC is a specialized financial institution that buys the
The Reserve Bank has enhanced the limit of maximum
NPAs or bad assets from banks and financial institutions
balance at end of the day maintained in individual
at a mutually agreed value and attempts to recover the
customers’ accounts in Payments Bank to Rs 2 lakh
debts or associated securities by itself. The ARCs are
from Rs. one lakh earlier. The step has been taken to
registered under the RBI and regulated under the
encourage the efforts of Payments Bank for promoting
SARFAESI Act, 2002.
financial inclusion and to expand their ability to cater to
the needs of a wide base of their customers, including
MSMEs, small traders and merchants.

RBI TO PUBLISH FINANCIAL INCLUSION INDEX

The Reserve Bank has decided to bring out a Financial
Inclusion Index (FI Index) that will gauge the extent of
financial inclusion in the country. It will attempt to
measure the extent of broadening and deepening of
financial inclusion in the country. The index based on
multiple parameters will be published in July every year
for the financial year ending previous March.
Financial Inclusion refers to ensuring last mile delivery,
particularly in the unbanked areas.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 14
AFA MADE MANDATORY FROM OCTOBER 1
From October 1, 2021, there will be no automatic
recurring payment through cards or for various
services, including recharge and utility bill, as RBI has
made Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA)
mandatory after September 30. However, banks and
payment gateways are seeking additional time to
comply with the RBI directive on automatic recurring
payment.
Last year, on December 4, RBI had directed all banks
including RRBs, NBFCs, and payment gateways that the
processing of recurring transactions (domestic or cross-
border) using cards or Prepaid Payment Instruments
(PPIs) or Unified Payments Interface (UPI) under
arrangements/practices not compliant with AFA would
not be continued beyond March 31, 2021.
Under the new norms, banks will be required to inform
customers in advance about recurring payment due and
transactions would be carried following nod from the
customer. So the transaction would not be automatic but
would be done after authentication from the customer.
“PAYTM WEALTH COMMUNITY” LAUNCHED
India’s leading digital financial services provider Paytm
launched on April 26 India’s first video-based wealth
community called the “Paytm Wealth Community”.
It is an investing community based on video, and “will
enable users to attend live sessions conducted by
subject matter experts across an array of wealth topics
like Stocks, F&O, IPO, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Gold, Fixed
Income, and Personal Finance”.
Users will be able to learn from experts, interact with
them to clarify doubts, and also chat with other users on
the platform to discuss various wealth-related topics.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
DEFENCE, SCIENCE
& TECHNOLOGY
MAY
PYTHON-5 MISSILE TESTED SUCCESSFULLY
India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas
added 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM)
in its air-to-air weapons capability on April 27. The
maiden trial of the Python-5 missile was conducted by
DRDO in Goa.
Developed by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of
Israel, Python-5 is the most accurate and reliable AAM of
the Israeli Air Force and one of the most sophisticated
guided missiles in the world.
INDIAN NAVY SAYS ‘GOODBYE’ TO INS RAJPUT
INS Rajput, the first destroyer of the Indian Navy, was
finally decommissioned on May 21 at Visakhapatnam
Dockyard, putting an end to a glorious era of
outstanding services. INS Rajput, the lead ship of the
Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR was
commissioned on 04 May 1980 and has rendered
yeoman service to the Indian Navy for over 41 years. It
was the first Indian Naval Ship to be affiliated with an
Indian Army regiment – the Rajput Regiment.
INDIA TO GET 6 MORE P-81 AIRCRAFTS
The U.S. government approved the proposed sale of six
P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment on April 30.
The deal is estimated to cost $2.42 billion. The aircrafts
will be part of the 312A Naval Air Squadron based at
Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Navy already has
nine P-81 aircrafts in operation.
The P-8I based on the Boeing 737 commercial aircraft is
the world's most advanced surveillance aircraft and India
was its first international customer in December, 2012.
The order for procurement of the long-range maritime
surveillance aircraft was approved by the Defence
Acquisition Council in Nov 2019.
Indian and Indonesian navies carried out a military
drill 'Passage' exercise (PASSEX) in the Southern
Arabian Sea on May 8 with a focus on further improving
their interoperability.
15
The first batch of women military police comprising 83
soldiers was inducted into the Army on May 8 at an
attestation parade held at the Corps of Military Police
Centre and School in Bengaluru.
CHINA’s OCEAN-MONITORING SATELLITE
China successfully sent a new ocean-monitoring satellite
Haiyang-2D (HY-2D) into orbit on May 19 as part of its
effort to build an all-weather and round-the-clock
dynamic ocean environment monitoring system which
would provide early warning on marine disasters. The
HY-2D will form a constellation with the HY-2B and HY-
2C satellites to build an all-weather and round-the-clock
dynamic ocean environment monitoring system.
CHINA’s ROVER ZHURONG LANDS ON MARS
China succeeded for the first time in landing a spacecraft
on Mars on May 15. The six-wheeled rover Zhurong
robot landed in Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the
planet's northern hemisphere. The vehicle used a
combination of a protective capsule, a parachute and a
rocket platform to make the successful descent.
The lander was launched from China under mission
Tianwen-1 on July 23, 2020. After 7 months of transit, it
entered orbit around Mars on February 10, 2021.
Until now only the Americans have been able to land on
Mars. All other countries that have tried have either
crashed or lost contact soon after reaching the surface.
Currently, America’s rover Perseverance is already
operational on Mars.
CHINA TO COLLECT SPACE DEBRIS
China launcheda robot prototype named ‘NEO-01’, in
the Earth’s low orbit, on board its Long March 6 rocket.
The 30kg robot will use a large net to capture debris left
behind by other spacecrafts and then burn it using its
electric propulsion system.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
CHINA - REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE
China successfully sent a new remote sensing satellite,
Yaogan-34, into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch
Center in northwest China on April 30. The optical
remote sensing satellite will be used for the survey of
land resources, urban planning, the confirmation of land
rights, road network design, crop yield estimation, and
disaster prevention and reduction
WORLD’s FIRST AI BASED SHIP
A team of researchers from the marine research
organization ProMare in collaboration with IBM built
the world’s first AI ship, the ‘Mayflower 400’. The
unmanned 15-mt -long trimaran that weighs nine tons
is a completely autonomous ship. The ship is set to sail
on a transatlantic voyage to track aquatic mammals,
analyze plastic in the water, and study marine pollution.
The ship is powered by Artificial Intelligence and the
Sun’s energy via solar panels.
NASA’s ROVER CREATES OXYGEN ON MARS
NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully created, for
the first time, oxygen from the thin atmospheric carbon
dioxide present on Mars. The Mars Oxygen In-Situ
Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) aboard the
rover on Mars carried out the experiment on 20 April,
which was a technology demonstration.
MOXIE extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
which makes up about 96 per cent of the wispy air
blanket around Mars. It then separates oxygen atoms
from carbon dioxide molecules, releasing carbon
monoxide as a byproduct.
APRIL
WORLD’s FIRST EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTOR
India has developed the world's first micro-sensor
based explosive trace detector (ETD), using a micro-
electromechanical system (MEMS), called NanoSniffer. It
provides trace detection of the nano-gram quantity of
explosives, and delivers results in seconds. It can detect
explosives in less than 10 seconds and also identifies
and categorizes explosives into different classes. The
core technology of NanoSniffer is protected by patents
in the U.S. and Europe. The device will reduce India’s
dependency on imported explosive trace detector
devices.
16
INDIA TOOK PART IN ‘LA PEROUSE’ DRILL
The Indian Navy participated in a France-led multi
nation naval drill named “La Perouse”, from April 5 to 7
in the Bay of Bengal.
The participating nations also included the Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue (QUAD) member countries namely
Australia, Japan and the USA. India participated in this
exercise for the first time.
VARUNA-2021: The 19th edition of the Indian and
French Navy bilateral exercise was held in the Arabian
Sea from April 25 to 27. The exercise involved high
tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air
defence and anti-submarine exercises.
Khanjar: The 8th Indo-Kyrgyz Joint Special Forces
Exercise “Khanjar” was inaugurated at the Special
Forces Brigade of National Guards of the Kyrgyz
Republic in Bishkek, the capital of the host Kyrgyzstan
on April 16.
ShantirOgroshena: India participated in a 10-day
multinational military exercise held in Bangladesh. The
armed forces of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
along with observers from the US, UK, Turkey and Saudi
Arabia participated in the multilateral UN-mandated
counterterrorism exercise from April 4 to 12.
Vajra Prahar 2021: The 11th edition of Indo-US joint
special forces exercise was conducted at Special Forces
training school located at Bakloh, in Himachal Pradesh
in March, 2021. The exercise aimed at sharing best
practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission
planning and operational tactics.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
India and the US held a two-day naval PASSEX exercise
on March 28-29 in the Bay of Bengal. For the first time,
Indian Air Force fighters also took part in the exercise to
practice air interception and air defence with the US
Navy.
The Pakistan Army successfully test-fired a nuclear-
capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-1A
on March 26. It has a range of 900 kilometers.
DEBRIS FOUND OF INDONESIAN SUBMARINE
The Indonesian navy submarine ‘KRI Nanggala (402)’,
that went missing on 21 April, 2021, in the waters off
the coast of Bali Island, is reported to have been found
split into three pieces on the sea bed, at a depth of 850
meters. All the 53 crew aboard the submarine have
been confirmed dead.
WORLD’s FIRST: WATER FROM AIR
Maithri Aquatech, a Visakhapatnam based company has
set up the 'World's First Mobile Water from Air Kiosk
and Water Knowledge Centre' in the smart city of
Visakhapatnam.
The kiosk will provide clean, mineral-enriched potable
water harvested from the air with no dependency on
scarce groundwater as well as surface water resources.
The water generated meets the WHO as well as Indian
Standards of potable water.
CHINA NAMES ITS MARS ROVER AS “ZHURONG”
China has named its first-ever Mars rover as “Zhurong”
after an ancient fire god. The rover is slated to make a
landing attempt on the Red Planet in May this year. The
rover has six wheels and four solar panels and carries
six scientific instruments. It weighs over 200 kg and will
work for about three months on the planet. China
National Space Administration had successfully
launched its first Mars probe in July, 2020.
FIRST HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER A PLANET
NASA's Mars helicopter named ‘Ingenuity’ made history
with a successful flight on the Red Planet. The miniature
robotic helicopter performed a successful take off and
landing on Mars on April 19. The 1.8-kg twin-rotor
helicopter hovered around 3 meter above the surface,
performing its maiden 40-second flight as planned. This
is the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft over
the surface of another planet.
17
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
MAY
WHO TO START FIRST BIOHUB FACILITY
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Switzerland
signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the
First WHO Biohub Facility. It will allow convenient rapid
sharing of viruses and other pathogens between
laboratories and global partners. It will be installed in
Spiez, Switzerland. Under this agreement, the Spez
Biocontainment Laboratory will be made available to
the WHO and the lab will serve as a repository for the
Sars-CoV-2 virus or other pathogens with epidemic or
pandemic potential.
G7 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN LONDON
The meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of
Seven countries - G-7 was held in London on May 4-5.
The group of the most advanced economies of the world
discussed what it called as the biggest current threats:
China, Russia and the coronavirus pandemic. Foreign
Ministers from hosts Britain, plus the United States,
France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan met for the
first time in person in two years.
WORLD’s LARGEST ICEBERG FORMED
The European Space Agency has informed that the
Iceberg A-76 calved from the western side of the Ronne
Ice Shelf in Antarctica and is now floating on the
Weddell Sea, some 2,000 km south of southern tip of
Chile. The broken iceberg, reported to be the largest till
date, measured around 170 kilometers in length and 25
kilometers in width, spreading over 4320 sq kms. It is
larger than the Long Island in New York and half the size
of Puerto Rico.
Icebergs are formed when a large piece of ice breaks off
from the ice shelves or the glaciers and starts floating in
the open water.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
APRIL
LEADERS CLIMATE SUMMIT HOSTED BY USA
US President Joe Biden hosted a two-day Leaders
Climate Summit of world leaders on the Earth Day, April
22 to address the global climate crisis. The virtual
summit was joined by 40 heads of government,
including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He announced
a India- US partnership on clean energy and climate
change.
The summit’s theme was “Our Collective Sprint to 2030”.
It aimed at promoting efforts by the major economies to
reduce greenhouse gas emission and meet the targets of
the Paris Agreement to keep temperature rise to well
below 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the
end of the century.
BLUE NATURE ALLIANCE TO SAVE OCEANS
Some leading not-for -profit environmental and social
organisations have come together to form the Blue
Nature Alliance. It is a global partnership with five core
partners: Conservation International, The Global
Environment Facility, the Pew Charitable Trusts,
Minderoo Foundation and Rob and Melani Walton
Foundation.
Launched on April 20, it has raised $125 million to protect
the ocean from environmental threats. The Alliance is
currently working with governments and other partners
on large-scale efforts in Fiji’s Lau Seascape, Antarctica’s
Southern Ocean, and Tristan da Cunha to collectively
secure protections for over 4.8 million square kilometres
of the ocean.
SINGAPORE FIRST TO RATIFY RCEP
Singapore became the first country on April 9 to
complete the official process for ratification of the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
agreement.
The trade pact, which is the world’s largest, was signed by
all 10 ASEAN members and five key partners including
China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand at
the 4th RCEP leaders’ summit in November 2020. The
RCEP Agreement will come into force 60 days after six
ASEAN member states and three ASEAN FTA partners
decide to ratify the Agreement.
18
JAPAN’s PASSPORT IS BEST IN THE WORLD
The Henley Passport Index on April 15 released its list
of the most travel-friendly passports. The Index
measures the world’s most powerful passports on the
basis of the number of countries their holders can visit
without a prior visa. It is based on data from the
International Air Transport Association-IATA.
India stands at number 84 in the list, as the Indian
citizens can visit Visa Free or Visa-on-Arrival in over 58
places. The Index is topped by Japan, enjoying visa free
access to 193 countries, followed by Singapore – 192
countries.
The weakest passport belongs to Afghanistan as it affords
visa on arrival facility in only 26 countries while Pakistani
passport is slightly better as its holders are allowed visa
on arrival option in 32 countries.
US EXPELS 10 RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS
The US administration announced the expulsion of 10
Russian diplomats on April 15. It also announced
sanctions against nearly three dozen people and
companies as it moved to hold Russia accountable for
interference in last year’s Presidential election and the
hacking of Federal agencies. The actions represent the
first retaliatory measures announced against the
Kremlin for the hack, familiarly known as the
SolarWinds breach.
It is alleged that Russian hackers infected widely used
software with malicious code, enabling them to access
the networks of at least nine agencies in what U.S.
officials believe was an intelligence-gathering operation
aimed at mining government secrets.
PERSONS IN NEWS
MAY
Ms. Jacinda Ardern: Prime Minister of New Zealand
secured the top spot-on Fortune magazine's list of the
world's 50 greatest leaders. The annual list published
on May 14 praised Ardern’s leadership during the
Covid-19 pandemic, as well as her “world-leading
climate and gender-equity policies”.
Sir David Attenborough: The 95-year-old renowned
English broadcaster and natural historian has been
named as the “People’s Advocate” of the UN Climate
Change Conference (COP26), which is scheduled to be
held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, under the
Chairmanship of the United Kingdom. Attenborough’s
role will be to inspire people to act on climate change
and protect the planet for future generations.
Kami Rita: 51-year-old Sherpa guide scaled Mount
Everest for the 25th time on May 7, breaking his own
record for the most ascents of the world’s highest peak.
Rita first scaled Everest in 1994. Expertise and skills of
Sherpa guides are vital to the safety and success of the
hundreds of climbers who dare to scale the 8,849-meter
(29,032-foot) mountain peak.
APRIL
The Great Khali: India’s one-time World Heavyweight
Champion has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
as part of the 2021 class. Standing 7’1″ tall, Khali’s
official name is Dalip Singh Rana. He is the first Indian
world champion in WWE. He made his professional
wrestling debut in 2000.
APPOINTMENTS
MAY
Subodh Kumar Jaiswal: The 1985-batch IPS officer of
Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the next
regular Director of the CBI by the Appointments
Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

PUTIN TO REMAIN PRESIDENT TILL 2036

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin gave his final
approval on April 5 to the constitutional legislation that
allows him to hold office for two additional 6yrs terms.
It gives him the possibility to stay in power till 2036.
The 68-years old President has already been in power for
more than two decades. Currently he is serving his fourth
Presidential term that will continue till end 2024. The
new provisions were overwhelmingly backed by the
Russians in a vote in July 2020. The Parliament also
approved the bill in March 2021.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 19
Himanta Biswa Sarma: Elected as the new chief
minister of Assam, replacing the current incumbent
Sarbanand Sonowal.
MK Stalin: President of the Dravida
MunnetraKazhagam party was sworn in as the new
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu by the state Governor
Banwarilal Purohit.
N Rengasamy: The NR Congress Chief was sworn in as
the Chief Minister of UT of Puducherry by the Lt.
Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan.
T Rabi Sankar: Appointed as the Deputy Governor of
the RBI for a period of three years, by the Appointments
Committee of the Union Cabinet. Sankar was Executive
Director of the RBI before being elevated to the post of
Deputy Governor.
He filled the vacancy created after the retirement of BP
Kanungo on April 2. The other three Deputy Governors
are Michael D Patra, Mukesh Kumar Jain and Rajeshwar
Rao.
Jose J Kattoor: Appointed as the Executive Director
(ED) of the Reserve Bank of India by the RBI. Prior to
being promoted as ED, Kattoor was heading Bengaluru
Regional Office of the Reserve Bank as Regional Director
for Karnataka.
T V Somanathan: Appointed as the new Finance
Secretary by the Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet.
Amitabh Chaudhry: Re-appointed as the Managing
Director and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Bank.
Bashar Al-Assad: Re-elected as the President of Syria
after winning the election for the fourth time. Assad, 55,
has been President of the war-torn country since 2000.
Guillermo Lasso: Sworn in as the President of Ecuador,
becoming the country’s first right-wing leader in the last
14 years.
Anatole Collinet Makosso: Appointed by the President
as the new prime minister of Republic of Congo, a small
country in western central Africa.
It may be noted that a much bigger country on its eastern
side is Democratic Republic of Congo.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Penpa Tsering: A former Speaker of the Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile, has been elected as the new
President of the Central Tibetan Administration, elected
Parliamentary government of Tibet, based in
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Moctar Ouane: Re-appointed as the Prime Minister of
Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa
Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli: Re-appointed as Nepal's
care taker Prime Minister on May 14.
APRIL
Justice NV Ramana: Appointed as the 48th
Chief Justice
of India by the President Ram Nath Kovind. He will take
oath on April 24 and will have a tenure of around 16
months.
Sushil Chandra: The senior-most Election
Commissioner was appointed as the Chief Election
Commissioner of India by the President of India. He
succeeds Sunil Arora who demitted office on April 13.
S Ramann: Appointed as the Chairman and Managing
Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) for a period of three years. Headquarters of
SIDBI are in Lucknow, UP.
Tarun Bajaj: Appointed as the new Revenue Secretary
under the Ministry of Finance. Prior to this, he was the
Economic Affairs Secretary since April 30, 2020.
Ajay Seth: Appointed as the new Economic Affairs
Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, in place of Tarun
Bajaj.
Mallika Srinivasan: Appointed as the Chairperson of
Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) by the
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Currently, she
is Chairperson and Managing Director of Tractors and
Farm Equipment (TAFE) Limited.
This is for the first time that a specialist from the private
sector has been appointed as the head of the PESB, a body
responsible for the appointment of top management posts
in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Soma Mondal: Chairperson of the state-owned Steel
Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has been elected as
the new chairperson of the Standing Conference of
Public Enterprises (SCOPE).
SCOPE is an apex professional organization representing
the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
Rekha M Menon: Chairperson of IT firm Accenture
India, appointed as chairperson of the National
Association of Software and Services Companies
(NASSCOM), becoming the first woman to take the top
role in the software lobby group’s 30-year history.
Miguel Díaz-Canel: Appointed as the new President of
Cuba, a tiny island country in the Caribbean Sea. He is
also the chief of the Cuban Communist Party.
20
He is the first person without the surname Castro to run
Cuba since the 1959 revolution. His predecessor Raul
Castro stepped down on April 17.
Guillermo Lasso: Won Ecuador’s presidential
elections. 65-year-old Lasso is a former banker and a
business tycoon.
Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou: Appointed as the new
Prime Minister of Niger, a land-locked country north of
Nigeria, in Africa.
Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu: She has been elected to a five-
year term as the President of Kosovo by its Parliament.
Pham Minh Chinh: Vietnam’s National Assembly
confirmed Chinh’s appointment as the country’s next
Prime Minister.
Eduard Heger: Appointed as the Prime Minister of
Slovakia wef April 1, 2021. Slovakia is a small country in
central Europe.
AWARDS & HONOURS
MAY
Lifetime Award in honour of Satyajit Ray
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has decided
to institute the “Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement
Award for Excellence in Cinema” to pay tributes to the
legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
A Bharat Ratna awardee, Ray was born on May 2, 1921.
The award will be given at the International Film Festival
of India (IFFI) every year starting from this year. The
Award will comprise a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees, a
certificate, Shawl, along with a Silver Peacock medal and
a Scroll.
International Eni Award 2020: Bharat Ratna
Professor C.N.R. Rao has been honoured with this
prestigious global award for his research in renewable
energy sources and energy storage. Dr. Rao has
honorary doctorates from 60 universities around the
world and has authored over 51 books and 1,600
research publications.
The Eni award is also known as the Energy Frontier
Award and is considered to be the Nobel Prize in Energy
Research. It is sponsored by Eni - the oil and gas giant of
Italy. The Eni Award aims to promote better use of
energy sources and encourage new generations of
researchers in their work.
WILD Innovator Award 2021: Dr. Krithi K Karanth,
Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based Centre
for Wildlife Studies (CWS), has been chosen as the first
Indian and Asian woman for the 2021 WILD Innovator
Award. This award given by the ''WILD ELEMENTS
Foundation'' brings together a coalition of innovators,
advocates and partners to identify solutions to global
sustainability and conservation.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Rudolf V Schindler Award: Padma Bhushan awardee
and noted gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy,
who is also the chairman of AIG Hospitals, was selected
for this esteemed award by the American Society of
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. It is the highest category in
the prestigious Crystal Awards named after Dr Schindler
who is considered as “the father of gastroscopy.”
International Invincible Gold Medal: Conferred on
Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
for his extraordinary commitment and outstanding
service to humanity through his writings, social and
illustrious public life. The award is given at global level
by the Maharshi Organisation Worldwide, Netherland.
Whitley Awards 2021: Y Nuklu Phom,
notedconservationist from Nagaland is one of the seven
winners of the prestigious award for conservation. Each
awardee will receive a cash prize of 40,000 Pounds.
The award recognised his efforts in establishing a
biodiversity peace corridor in Nagaland to protect the
rare migratory bird Amur falcon. Also known as the
Green Oscar, the award is given by the UK based charity
Whitley Fund for Nature.
“Order of Rising Sun”: Third highest civilian award of
Japan The Japanese Government recently awarded to
Bengaluru based Shyamala Ganesh, a teacher of
Japanese at the Septuagenarian institution and also at
the Ohara School of Ikebana in Bengaluru.
World Food Prize 2021: Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh
Thilsted, a global nutrition expert of Indian descent, has
won the prestigious prize for her groundbreaking
research in developing holistic, nutrition-sensitive
approaches to aquaculture and food systems. 71-year-
old Dr. Thilsted now serves as the Global Lead for
Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish, a global
CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research) center headquartered in Malaysia.
The award is given by the World Food Prize Foundation,
Iowa, USA. It carries a cash award of $2,50,000. It was
founded by the Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug in
1986 to inspire breakthrough achievements in improving
the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world.
Dr. Borlaug is regarded as the father of “Green
Revolution” for inventing high yield disease resistant
varieties of wheat that almost doubled the food output.
Templeton Prize 2021: World’s foremost authority on
Chimpanzees, world-famous conservationist and
environmentalist Jane Goodall of UK won the
prestigious $1.5 million award.
It is given annually by the John Templeton Foundation,
Philadelphia, USA to recognise achievements of people
“harnessing the power of the sciences to explore the
deepest questions of the universe and humankind’s place
and purpose within it.”
21
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 22
Millennium Technology Prize: Awarded to two
British chemists who developed a super-fast DNA
sequencing technique that paved the way for
revolutionary healthcare advances. Cambridge
University professors Shankar Balasubramanian and
David Klenerman will get one million Euro ($1.22
million) for their work of over 27 years creating ever
faster and cheaper ways to sequence the human
genome. The prize is given once in two years by the
Technology Academy, Finland.
Billboard 2021 Music Awards: The popular music
award show of the USA was held on May 23 in Los
Angeles. Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd
dominated the ceremony with 10 awards, including the
iconic Top Artist Trophy. His real name is Abel
Makkonen Tesfaye.
Miss Universe 2020: Andrea Meza of Mexico won the
contest held in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA.
APRIL
Saraswati Samman, 2020: Awarded to noted Marathi
writer Dr SharankumarLimbale for his book ‘Sanatan’.
The award carries fifteen lakh rupees, a citation and a
plaque.
Saraswati Samman, instituted by KK Birla Foun dation in
1991, is recognised among the most prestigious and
highest literary awards in the country, given in any of the
22 Indian languages.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019: Highest film
award from the government side has been conferred on
legendary actor and producer Rajinikant for his vast and
rich body of work through the decades. Born to a
Marathi family in Bengaluru, Rajinikanth’s original
name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. Though his workplace is
Tamil Nadu, he did his schooling in Bengaluru and spent
much of his prime in that city.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh and a Swarn
Kamal (Golden Lotus). Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb
Phalke Award is India’s highest award in cinema. It is
presented annually at the National Film Awards
Ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an
organisation of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
FILMFARE AWARDS 2021 DECLARED
The 66th Filmfare Awards for the year 2020 were given
on 28 March in Mumbai to honour artistic and technical
excellence in Hindi cinema.
Best Film: Thappad by Anubhav Sinha
Best Director: Om Raut for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
Best Actor: Irrfan Khan for Angrezi Medium
Best Actress: Taapsee Pannu for Thappad
Guneet Monga: Acclaimed filmmaker known for
backing films like “The Lunchbox” and “Masaan”,
selected for the French honour the Knight of the Order
of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Arts et
des Lettres). It is the second-highest civilian French
honour.
International Ranger Award: Mahinder Giri, range
officer of Rajaji Tiger Reserve selected as the only
ranger from Asia to win the prestigious award for his
contribution towards wildlife conservation. The award
has been announced for 10 professionals across the
world by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature IUCN and World Commission on Protected Areas
WCPA.
OSCARS DECLARED FOR THE YEAR 2020
The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, also known as
Oscars Awards, was held in Los Angeles, USA on April
25. The awards are presented annually by the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Best Picture: Nomadland by Ms. Chloé Zhao
Best Director: Ms. Chloé Zhao (USA) for Nomadland
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Frances McDormand for
Nomadland
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Anthony Hopkins for The
Father
BAFTA AWARDS 2021 ANNOUNCED
The 74th edition of the British Academy Film &
Television Awards- BAFTA 2021 was held on April 11 at
Royal Albert Hall in London in a virtual format due to
prevailing pandemic conditions. The top award winners
included:
Best Film: Nomadland by Ms. Chloe Zhao, USA
Best Director: Ms. Chloe Zhao for Nomadland
Best Leading Actress: Frances McDormand for
Nomadland
Best Leading Actor: Sir Anthony Hopkins for The
Father
AM Turing Award 2020: Won by Alfred V. Aho for his
research and influential text books on fundamental
algorithms and theory underlying programming
language implementation.
Aho is Lawrence Gussman Professor Emeritus of
Computer Science at Columbia University, USA. His books
have educated generations of computer scientists. The
Turing Award is considered to be the most prestigious
award in computer science.
23

BOOKS & AUTHORS
MAY
Elephant by Paul Pickering
Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, Nobel laureate of
literature, 2017
All Time Favourites for Children by Ruskin Bond, a
collection of short stories
Sach Kahun Toh (Truly Speaking): Autobiography of
Neena Gupta, veteran Bollywood actress
India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present by
Shivshankar Menon, former National Security Adviser
and Foreign Secretary
APRIL
A Living Mountain by Amitav Ghosh
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Cursed Inheritance by Sutapa Basu
The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
The Hard Crowd by Rachel Kushner
Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins
Broken by Jenny Lawson
Names of the Women by Jeet Thayil, renowned author
best known for his book ‘Narcopolis’
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, award winning US author;
the novel explores the impact of Shakespear’s son
Hamnet’s illness and death, on his family.
OBITUARY
MAY
Dr. Srikumar Banerjee: Former Chairman of the
Atomic Energy Commission and a veteran Nuclear
Scientist passed away at the age of 75 on May 23 in Navi
Mumbai. He also served as the Director of Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre, Tromby (Mumbai) in 2005-10.
He was honoured with Padma Shri in 2005.
Sunderlal Bahuguna: Noted Environmentalist and
pioneer of world famous “Chipko Movement” in 1974 to
save trees, passed away in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on
May 21 due to COVID-19 related complications. He was
94. Government of India honoured him Padma Shri in
1981 and with Padma Vibhushan in 2009 for his
outstanding contributions for environment
conservation.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Jagannath Pahadia: The first
Dalit Chief Minister of Rajasthan
(1980-81) succumbed to death
due to COVID-19 at the age of 89
on May 19. A four-time member
of parliament, he was a union
minister for several years. He
also served as a former
governor of Bihar (1989- 1990)
and Haryana (2009-2014).
Prof. M S Narasimhan: Distinguished mathematician
Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan, passed away on
May 16. He was 88. Famous for the Narasimhan-
Seshadri theorem, he made pioneering contributions to
differential & algebraic geometry. He played a key role
in the development of Mathematics in India. He was a
recipient of the Bhatnagar Prize in 1975, the Third
World Academy Award for Mathematics in 1987, and is
a Fellow of the Royal Society, London. In 2006 he was a
recipient of the King Faisal International Prize for
Science.
Raghunandan Lal Bhatia: Congress stalwart,
popularly known as RL Bhatia, died of Covid in Amritsar
on May 15. He would have turned 101 on July 3. Bhatia
had an illustrious political career as he represented the
Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency six times and also
remained a Minister of State for External Affairs. He also
served as Governor of Kerala and Bihar.
Raghunath Mohapatra: Eminent sculptor, architect,
and Rajya Sabha member passed away while
undergoing treatment for COVID-19. He was 78. Hailing
from Odisha, Mohapatra was awarded Padma Shri in
1975, Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Padma Vibhushan in
2013 for his pioneering contributions to the world of
art, architecture and culture.
Ajit Singh: Former Union Minister, founder and current
chief of Rashtriya Lok Dal passed away on May 6 losing
battle with coronavirus. 82-year-old Singh was a
prominent farmer leader and son of former prime
minister Chaudhary Charan Singh (1979-80). He was a
7-time MP from Baghpat in western UP and served as a
union minister on multiple occasions. He was a
computer scientist by profession and worked for 15
years in the US.
Jagmohan (Malhotra): Former Union Minister and
former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir passed away in
New Delhi on May 3 at a ripe age of 93. A civil servant,
Jagmohan also served as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
and Goa. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha once and
represented New Delhi in Lok Sabha thrice on a BJP
ticket. He served as the Union Minister for
Communications, Urban Development, Tourism and
Culture. He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1971,
Padma Bhushan in 1977 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016
for his outstanding services.
24
Pandit Debu Chaudhuri: Renowned Sitar maestro
passed away following COVID-19 related complications.
He was 85.The Legend of Sitar belonged to the Senia or
Gharana style of music. He was honoured with the
Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri.
Rohit Sardana: Renowned TV
journalist and news anchor
passed away, due to heart
attack, following the deadly
COVID-19 infection. The
young journalist was just 41-
year-old. Sardana was
associated with Zee News
since 2004, before moving to
AajTak in 2017. He was hosting the debate show
‘Dangal’ on the news channel Aaj Tak.
Soli Sorabjee: Former Attorney General, veteran
lawyer and Padma Vibhushan awardee passed away on
April 30 after getting infected with COVID-19. The 91-
year-old legal luminary Sorabjee held several offices in
organizations of national and international repute
during his long and noted career in the field of law.
Sorabjee served as the Attorney General of India twice
— from 1989-90 during VP Singh’s Government and
from 1998 to 2004 during the AB Vajpayee government.
Manoj Das: A prolific Indian author who wrote in Odia
and English languages, passed away on April 27, at the
age of 87 due to age-related ailments. He was conferred
with Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhushan in 2020
for his contributions in the field of education and
philosophy. His search for mysticism motivated him to
become an inmate of Sri Aurobindo Ashram in
Puducherry and since 1963, he has been a professor of
Philosophy and English Literature there.
APRIL
Pt Rajan Mishra: Renowned Hindustani classical
vocalist from Banaras gharana died on April 25 due to
COVID-19 complications at a hospital in New Delhi. He
was 70. Mishra, along with his brother Sajan Mishra
was one of the foremost exponents of khayal gayaki.
Mishra was honoured with a number of awards,
including the Padma Bhushan.
M Narasimham: The former Governor of Reserve Bank
of India, who was regarded as the “father of banking
reforms in India” passed away on April 20 due to Covid-
19 related illness. He was 94. The recommendations of
the two committees he headed – Committee on the
Financial System, 1991 and the Committee of Banking
Sector Reforms, 1998 – formed the bedrock of reforms
in the Indian financial and banking sectors.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan: Noted Indian Islamic
scholar, spiritual leader and author passed away on
April 21due to Covid-19 complications. He was 97.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Khan has written over 200 books on several aspects of
Islam and is best known for having written a
commentary on the Quran and its translation in English,
Hindi and Urdu. He was recipient of several notable honors
like Padma Vibhushan (2021), Padma Bhushan (2000) and the
Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award (2009).
Shankha Ghosh: Eminent Bengali poet passed away on
April 21loosing his battle against COVID 19. He was 89.
Considered to be an authority on Rabindranath Tagore,
his famous works include Adim Lata – Gulmomay and
Murkha Baro Samajik Nay, among other books. In 2011,
he was awarded Padma Bhushan and in 2016 he
received the prestigious Jnanpith Award.
Shashikala: Veteran actress of Hindi cinema passed
away at her residence in Mumbai on April 4. She was 88
years old. More popularly known by her first name,
Shashikala, her real name was Shashikala Jawalkar. She
acted in over 100 movies. Shashikala was honoured
with several awards and honours, including the
prestigious Padma Shri in 2007.
Prince Philip: British Queen Elizabeth’s husband, died
at the age of 99. He was to mark his 100th birthday on
June 10. Officially known as the Duke of Edinburgh, a
Greek prince, he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947,
five years before she became Queen.
He played a key role in modernising the British monarchy
in the post-World War II period. In the closing years, at
the age of 90, the Queen made him the Lord High
Admiral. In 2017 when he demitted his official duties, the
Queen awarded him the Royal Victorian Order that made
him a Knight Grand Cross.
PLACES IN NEWS
MAY
Cyclone Yaas: A ‘very severe’ cyclone devastated the
beach towns in north Odisha and neighbouring West
Bengal as it hit the coast in the morning of May 26 with
wind speed of 130-140 kmph. The location of the
landfall was north of Dhamra in Odisha's Bhadrak
district, 50 km south of Balasore. The seawater entered
coastal areas in South 24 Parganas and adjoining areas
in West Bengal. The National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF) deployed the highest number of its 112 teams in
Odisha and West Bengal for relief and rescue
preparations.
Goma, Congo: The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on
the night of May 22 sent about 5,000 people fleeing from
the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the
Congo, across the nearby border into Rwanda, while
another 25,000 others sought refuge to safer areas.
Torrents of lava poured into nearby villages with hardly
any warning, destroying more than 500 homes and
leaving at least 15 people dead.
25
Cyclone Tauktae: Kerala witnessed heavy rain in many
parts of the State as an extremely severe cyclonic storm
Tauktae passed by the coast on May 16 with wind
speeds of up to 185 kmph. Widespread damage was
reported from across the State. The cyclonic storm left
at least six people dead while injuring 13 others.
The cyclone caused widespread damage in coastal
districts of Konkan region belt of Maharashtra as heavy
rains and gusty winds battered the area. Over 150
persons were drowned as a barge – used for
engineering and cargo purposes -- sank near the
‘Bombay High’ oil-rig in the Arabian Sea.
On May 17 evening the cyclone devastated the coastal
districts of southern Gujarat, causing widespread power
outages. The cyclone weakened slightly after its landfall
in Gujarat on the morning of 18thMay.
Gaza Strip: Severe armed conflict erupted between
Israel and the adjoining Palestine area Gaza Strip in
second week of May after Palestinian militants of Hamas
group fired barrages of rockets at southern Israeli
cities. Israel conducted dozens of air strikes in
retaliation hitting the facilities belonging to Hamas and
several commanders' homes, damaging main roads and
power lines.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has
called for an immediate end to the fighting between
Israelis and Palestinians.
A ceasefire mediated by Egypt came into force in the Gaza
Strip on May 21, bringing to halt 11 days of fiercest
fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Mount Sinabung: Indonesia's most active volcano
erupted once again on May 7, spewing a thick column of
volcanic ash 2.8 kms up into the sky. Sinabung is one of
the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, and some
30,000 people have been forced to leave nearby homes
in the past few years.
APRIL
Amboli: The Maharashtra government declared an area
at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district, as a
biodiversity heritage site, after a rare freshwater fish
species was discovered there. SchisturaHiranyakeshi is
a rare sub-species of Schistura, a freshwater loach. The
fish was named after the Hiranyakeshi river near
Amboli village.
Jagargunda: As many as 23 CRPF jawans were killed
and around 50 were injured after an encounter with
local Naxalites on April 3 in Jagargunda area along the
border between Bijapur and Sukma districts in
Chhattisgarh. The fierce four-hour long encounter took
place in the forests of South Bastar.
Cyclone Seroja: Floods and landslides triggered by
tropical cyclone Seroja in a cluster of islands in
southeast Indonesia and East Timor killed at least 100
people and displaced thousands of others.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
The cyclone brought flash floods, landslides and strong
winds amid heavy rain on April 4-5. A week later it
ripped across a 1,000km stretch of Western Australia,
leaving a trail of destruction with wind speeds of up to
170km/hour.
SPORTS WORLD
MAY
Achinta Sheuli, national weightlifting champion
secured the silver medal in the men’s 73-kilogram
category at the Junior World Weightlifting
Championships 2021 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Achinta
lifted a total of 313 kg (141 kg snatch and 172 kg clean
and jerk).
V Karthikeyan Pandian, an IAS officer, and private
secretary to Odisha Chief Minister, was conferred with
President’s Award by International Hockey Federation
for his contribution in promotion of hockey in Odisha.
Etienne Glichitch Award: Hockey Indiawon this
prestigious award given by the International Hockey
Federation in recognition of its contribution to the
growth and development of the sport in the country.
Narinder Batra: Re-elected as the President of
International Hockey Federation (FIH), Lausanne
(Switzerland) for the second consecutive term, till 2024.
Batra is also the President of the Indian Olympic
Association (IOA).
Ramesh Powar: Appointed as the Head Coach of Indian
Cricket Team (Senior Women) by the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The 2022 FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup will be
held in India from October 11 to 30, 2022.
INTERNATIONAL
European Golden Boot: Won by Robert Lewandowski,
star striker of Bayern Munich Football Club of Germany.
He scored an incredible 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga
(Germany’s top football league) appearances to claim
the top scorer spot in Europe.
Max Verstappen (Netherland) of team Red Bull won
the Formula One championship in Monaco Grand Prix at
Monaco.
Lewis Hamilton (Britain) won the Portuguese Grand
Prix F1 championship for team Mercedes held at
Portimao, Portugal.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes secured victory at the
Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on May 9 beating his
rival Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
26
Mark Selby of Britain won the World Snooker
Championship for the fourth time. The event was held
at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (UK).
22nd Laureus World Sports Awards:
Most prestigious sports awards ceremony was held in
Seville, Spain on May 6. The awards are given by the
Laureus World Sports Awards Ltd, London every year.
Sportswoman of the Year: Naomi Osaka, world no. 2
tennis player from Japan, for the second time
Sportsman of the Year: Rafael Nadal, world no. 2
Tennis legend from Spain, for the fourth time
Team of the year: Bayern Munich football team from
Germany, for the second time
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tennis legend Billie
Jean King. The 77-year-old former world no one from
the USA won 39 Grand Slam titles in her career.
Italian Open Tennis Tournament, Rome, Italy:
Women's Singles title: won by Polish teenager Iga
Swiatek
Men's Singles title: won by Rafael Nadal of Spain
Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar became the first Indian origin
fighter to win the ONE Heavyweight World Title at the
top-level MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Championship
event in Singapore on May 16, after defeating the
heavyweight king Brandon Vera, reigning champion for
the last five years. Bhullar is a Canadian citizen.
Conor McGregor, the 32-year-old MMA star from
Ireland topped the Forbes list of worlds 10 highest-
earning athletes, having made $180 million in 2020.
The earnings are from prize money, contract fee and
endorsement fee.
Lionel Messi was in second spot, having made $130
million in 2020 followed by Cristiano Ronaldo at third
rank, earning $ 120 million.
Phil Mickelson, American professional golfer, created
history by winning the 2021 PGA Championship, at the
age of 50, becoming the oldest player to win a major
title in the history of the PGA Tour.
APRIL
Mirabai Chanu of Manipur set a new World Record in
the women’s 49kg Clean and Jerk with an impressive
119 kg lift at Asian Weightlifting Championships in
Tashkent on April 17.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
The 26-year-old lifted 86 kg in snatch and a world record
of 119 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 205kg which also
won her the bronze medal at the event.
Sarita Mor (of Sonipat, Haryana) won the gold in the
Asian Wrestling Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan
in the women’s 59 kg category. Vinesh Phogat and
Anshu Malik also clinched their maiden Asian
Championship titles. Besides, Seema and Pooja won the
bronze in their categories.
World Youth Boxing Championships held in Kielce,
Poland: Indian women boxers put up sensational
performances as they created history with seven gold
medals while Sachin won the sole gold in the men’s
section. All women finalists -Gitika (48kg)
NaoremBabyrojisana Chanu (51kg), Poonam (57kg),
Vinka (60kg), Arundhati Choudhary (69kg), T
Sanamacha Chanu (75kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+81kg)
finished at the top. Indian team topped the medal tally
with 8 gold and three bronze medals.
In the Hyundai Archery World Cup held in Guatemala
City, Guatemala, Indian women’s recurve team including
Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari won
a gold medal. Archery couple Deepika Kumari and Atanu
Das, each won individual gold medal also.
The Indian shooters contingent topped the medal tally
by a highly successful performance in the ISSF World
Cup at Delhi, winning 30 medals in total – 15 gold, 9
silver and 6 bronze.
Virat Kohli has been named Wisden Almanack’s ODI
player of the 2010s. Kohli has amassed a staggering
12,169 runs from 254 ODIs. The highly-rated annual
publication named England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes as
the ‘Cricketer of the Year’ for a second successive time.
INTERNATIONAL
Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the season-opening
Bahrain Grand Prix F1 championship on March 28 for
the team Mercedes.
Miami Open Tennis Tournament: Hubert Hurkacz of
Poland won the men’s singles title while Women’s
singles title won by Ashleigh Barty of Australia. The
tournament was held in Miami, Florida, USA.
27

DAYS & DATES
MAY
May 01: International Labour Day
This day is celebrated to honour the contribution of
workers across the world. It is also known as May Day.
The Day commemorates the happenings of May 4, 1886,
the Haymarket massacre in Chicago, USA that led to 8
hour working norms for the workers. First Labour Day
was observed on May 1, 1891.
This year’s Labour Day is being celebrated amid the
Coronavirus pandemic, which has threatened to put lakhs
of workers and labourers out of job due to the emerging
severe economic crisis.
May 2: World Tuna Day
Observed every year to raise awareness about the Tuna
fish and its importance to humans and earth and also to
promote more sustainable fishing practices to conserve
the species. They are a significant source of food and
have amazing qualities due to which they are threatened
by overwhelming demand. The UNO officially
recognised the World Tuna Day in 2017. Tuna is a
saltwater fish comprising some 15 different species
across five genera.
May (2): World Laughter Day
It is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. It
is a day to raise awareness about laughter and its many
healing benefits. The Day was first celebrated in 1998, in
Mumbai upon the initiation of Dr Madan Kataria,
founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.
May 3: World Press Freedom Day
This day is celebrated across the globe to pay gratitude
to those journalists who lost their lives in order to bring
us honest and real news. The day commemorates the
anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek (a city in
Namibia), a statement of press freedom principles made
in 1991.
Considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, freedom of
the press is implicit under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian
constitution as well. The theme for this year's Day is
“Information as a Public Good”.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
May 04: International Firefighters’ Day
Observed every year to show our support and
appreciation for the firefighters who work round the
clock to protect us from incidents of fire and many other
emergencies. The day was instituted, after the death of
five firefighters in tragic circumstances in a bushfire in
Australia on 2 December, 1998.
May (4): World Asthma Day
It is observed every year on the 1st Tuesday of May. The
day spread awareness about asthma disease and its care
around the world. The celebrations are supported by
the USA based NGO - Global Initiative for Asthma -
GINA. The theme for 2021 World Asthma Day is
“Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions “.
May 05: Hand Hygiene Day
Celebrated with active support from WHO - World
Health Organisation, to mobilize people around the
world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in health
care facilities, thus protecting health care workers and
patients from infections.
This year, the campaign theme is “Seconds save lives –
clean your hands!” It aims to highlight the fact that
handwashing is one of the most effective actions you can
take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent
infections, including the COVID-19 virus.
May 05: World Athletics Day
This day was introduced by the IAAF in 1996 to increase
awareness about athletics and to encourage the youth to
take up sports. Although this day is celebrated in the
month of May every year, the IAAF marked May 5 as the
date for World Athletics Day in 2021.
IAAF, formerly known as the International Amateur
Athletic Federation or International Association of
Athletics Federations, is the international governing
body for the sport of athletics. Recently, it changed its
name to “World Athletics”. Due to the ongoing Corona
pandemic, all sports are down all over the world and so
no theme has been chosen for this year.
May 08: World Red Cross Day
The day is observed to celebrate the good work that the
Red Cross Movement does around the world.
It’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the volunteers for
their unprecedented contribution to the people in need.
The theme for this year is ‘Unstoppable’. This day also
marks the birth anniversary of Henri Dunant (May 08,
1928), the founder of the International Committee of the
Red Cross in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the
recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.
28
May 08: World Thalassemia Day
This day is observed to raise awareness about
thalassemia disease, its preventive measures and to
avoid transmission and the importance of vaccination
for children’s health, society and among the people
throughout the world.
This day is observed by the Thalassemia International
Federation (TIF), a NGO based in Nicosia, Cyprus. The
theme for this year’s celebrations is - “Addressing
Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassemia
Community”.
Thalassemia disease is a type of blood disorder where red
blood cells get destroyed causing difficulty in the
formation of hemoglobin which can cause anemia. It is a
genetic disease which gets transferred from parents to
children. Thalassemia patients need frequent transfusions
of healthy blood to supplement their red blood cells.
May (08): World Migratory Bird Day
This day is officially celebrated twice in a year since it
started in 2006. Firstly, it is held on the Second Saturday
of May and again on the Second Saturday of October.
The day aims to raise awareness of migratory birds and
the importance of international cooperation to conserve
them.
The theme selected for this year’s celebration is “Sing, Fly,
Soar – Like a Bird!” The theme appeals to people around
the world to use their voices and creativity to express
their shared appreciation of birds and nature.
May (9) : Happy Mothers’ Day
Celebrated in India and many other countries on the
second Sunday of May to honour the Mothers for the
unconditional love, adoration and indispensable
affection they bestow upon their children and providing
unmatched lifetime emotional support. Some other
countries celebrate it on some other days.
The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in West Virginia,
USA in 1908, when a school teacher Anna Jarvis organised
a Memorial Service at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church
commemorating the immaculate contribution of her
mother in her life, three years after she had passed away
in 1905.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
May 11: National Technology Day
This day is celebrated to commemorate the day on
which India successfully test-fired its first nuclear
bombs in 1998 under “Operation Shakti” in Pokhran. On
the same day India also performed successful test firing
of the Trishul Missile and had test flown the first
indigenous aircraft - ‘Hansa - 3’.
Although, India conducted its first nuclear test,
codenamed “Smiling Buddha”, at Pokhran in Rajasthan in
1974, but it was after the 1998 test that then prime
minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee publicly declared India’s
status as a nuclear weapons power, then 6th in world.
May 12: International Nurses Day
This day is celebrated to thank all nurses, their
dedication, their invaluable services, especially during
the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This day happens to
be the birthday of the legendary nurse - Florence
Nightingale.
A British social reformer, she earned the nickname of
“Lady with the Lamp” as she used to attend the patients
throughout the night, holding a lamp in her hand. The
theme of 2021 International Nurses Day is ‘Nurses: A
Voice to Lead – A vision for future healthcare’.
May 15: International Family Day
The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in
1993 to promote awareness of issues relating to
families. This day provides an opportunity to increase
the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic
factors affecting families.
The theme of this year's Day is "Families and New
Technologies." It aims to focus on technological
developments as to how they can impact families. With
COVID-19, digital technology has taken center stage in
our lives.
May 16: National Dengue Day
Observed every year with support from the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare to raise awareness about
dengue and its preventive measures. Dengue is a viral
disease, transmitted by the infective bite of the
mosquito named Aedes Aegypti. It is common after the
rainy season. It is highly contagious and spreads from
one person to another through mosquito bites.
29
May 16: Inter. Day of Living Together in Peace
In 2017, the United Nations declared this Day to
promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and
solidarity across the world. The Day aims to uphold the
desire to live and act together, united in diversity, in
order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity
and harmony.
May 17: World Hypertension Day
Observed every year to promote public awareness of
increasing high blood pressure (BP) and to encourage
citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent
killer. Hypertension is a condition in which the force of
the blood against the artery walls is too high.
Normal blood pressure is 140/90 and blood pressure
above this is regarded as high and is considered severe if
the pressure is above 180/120. The theme for this year is
‘Measure your blood pressure, control it, live longer!’ to
raise awareness especially in low to middle income areas
and promote the accurate blood pressure measurement
methods.
May 17: World Telecommunication and Info. Society
Day
Observed across the globe to help raise awareness of the
possibilities that the use of the Internet and other
information and communication technologies (ICT) can
bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to
bridge the digital divide. The day marks the anniversary
of the signing of the first International Telegraph
Convention and the creation of the International
Telecommunication Union in 1865.
The theme for this year is “Accelerating digital
transformation in challenging times”. During lockdowns
families are forced to stay at home and digital
technology becomes the only way to stay in touch with
friends and family.
May 18: International Museum Day
Celebrated every year to raise awareness about the
importance of Museums which are an important means
of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and
development of mutual understanding, cooperation and
peace among peoples. They enlighten us with the
numerous unknowns and take us to places we have
never been before. The theme of the day for the year
2021 “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”.
May 20: World Metrology Day
Observed globally every year to create awareness about
metrology (weights and measurements) and its
advancement in the respective field. On this day, many
nations cooperate internationally to raise awareness
about metrology and its progress in the relevant field.
The theme for the Day this year is “Measurement for
Health”. This theme was chosen to create awareness of
the important role measurement plays in health, and
thus in the wellbeing of every one of us.
It may be noted that the similar sounding World
Meteorological Day is observed on 23rd March.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
May 20: World Bee Day
It is celebrated every year to
acknowledge the role of bees
and other pollinators for the
conservation of the ecosystem.
The day marks the birth
anniversary of Anton Jansa
who in the 18th century
pioneered modern beekeeping
techniques in his native Slovenia. The
theme selected for the Day this year is “Bee engaged:
Build Back Better for Bees”.
May 21: Anti-Terrorism Day
The day marks the death anniversary of India’s seventh
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991. He was
killed in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu in an attack by a
suicide bomber of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE), most dreaded terrorist group of Sri Lanka. Since
then, the day has been declared Anti-Terrorism Day in
India. The day aims to spread the message of peace,
humanity, unity, and harmony among the people, and to
make them aware of the anti-social acts of terrorism.
May 21: International Tea Day
The day aims to raise awareness about improving the
condition of tea producers and tea workers across the
world. Tea producing countries make a lot of profit but
the condition of the labourers working in the tea
plantations is very bad. This day endeavours to raise the
status of tea workers, their rights, daily wages, social
security, employment security, and health.
May (21): National Endangered Species Day
It is celebrated each year on the third Friday of May
across the country. The day gives us the opportunity to
be more aware of the conservation of endangered
species and learn about the different steps the country
is taking to properly protect these animals.
At the global level, the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland maintains
the most comprehensive Red List of Threatened Species
around the world. It lists more than 31,000 species
threatened with extinction, accounting for about 27% of
all assessed species.
May 22: International Day for Biodiversity
Observed with the support from UNO to raise
awareness on various issues related to threats that stare
biodiversity in the face. The day aims to spread concern
about the importance of biodiversity as well as focuses
on global issues including biodiversity loss.
The theme for the year 2021 is “We’re part of the
solution#ForNature”. It aims at strengthening
biodiversity by undertaking activities such as planting
more trees, consuming a variety of foods in our diets to
promote crop diversity, avoiding food and water
wastage, generating less waste and reusing and
recycling products.
30
May 23: World Turtle Day
The day is celebrated with the purpose of increasing
attention and knowledge about turtles and tortoises,
and draw enough awareness from humans about the
measures that should be taken to help them survive and
thrive in their natural environment, without any human
interruptions to spread awareness about the protection
of the natural habitat of turtles and tortoises. The theme
for this year is - Turtle Rocks !
Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the
world. Their origin dates back to the time of dinosaurs,
which is nearly 200 million years back.
May 25: World Thyroid Day
Observed globally every year to raise awareness about
the importance of Thyroid and the prevention and
treatment of thyroid diseases. This day was established
in 2008 as a part of the campaign led by European
Thyroid Association (ETA) and the American Thyroid
Association (ATA) followed by Latin American Thyroid
Society (LATS) and Asia Oceania Thyroid Association
(AOTA) to commemorate the patients with Thyroid
diseases and doctors and physicians who treat them.
Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid
gland; a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck,
wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). The thyroid has
important roles to regulate numerous metabolic
processes throughout the body. Different types of thyroid
disorders affect either its structure or function.
May (26): Vesak Day
Vesak is observed every year in May on the first Full
Moon day, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha
Purnima and Buddha Day. It is the most sacred day to
Buddhists all over the world. It is said that on this day,
Lord Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. The Day
is commemorated by the United Nations every year.
May 28: World Hunger Day
Observed globally every year to raise awareness about
more than 690 million people living in chronic hunger
worldwide. The initiative recognizes the dire need to
save nearly a quarter of a billion lives from
malnourishment and chronic hunger. The United
Nation’s second sustainable development goal earmarks
the importance of increased agricultural productivity to
nourish the existing 690 million people.
May 28: Amnesty International Day
This day aims to promote human rights and raise
awareness of their abuses and how our choices affect
them every day.
Amnesty International is a London based global NGO
that fights for human rights with over three million
members and supporters around the world. It works
hard to protect children, women, and men across the
world in cases whereby their truth, dignity, and justice
are denied.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
May 28: World Menstrual Hygiene Day
Observed annually to create awareness among people
regarding menstrual hygiene. The day aims to change
the social stigma and taboo associated with
menstruation and to promote awareness and education
among girls and women regarding menstrual hygiene.
This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Action and Investment
in Menstrual Hygiene and Health’.
May 29: International Day of UN Peacekeepers
The Day is observed globally to honour all the women
and men who have served as military, police or civilians
in UN Peacekeeping operations. This is the date when in
1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the
"United Nations Truce Supervision Organization", or
UNTSO, began operations in the Middle East.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is "The road to a
lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace
and security." It focuses on over 10,000 young
peacekeepers aged between 18 – 29 years that are
deployed in various corners of the world, performing
their duties for protecting the lives of civilians.
May 29: International Everest Day
Celebrated annually to commemorate the first
conquering of the highest peak on Earth -- Mount
Everest by New Zealand's Edmund Hillary and Nepalese
sherpa Tenzing Norgay on this day in 1953. Nepal
decided to observe this day from 2008, when the
legendary climber Hillary passed away.
The 8849-meter-high peak is called Chomo-Lungma, or
‘Mother Goddess of the Land’ by the Tibetans, and
‘Sagarmatha’ by Nepal and Chinese call it Qololangma.
However, the English named it after Sir George Everest, a
19th-century British Surveyor General of India from 1830
to 1843.
May 31: No Tobacco Day
Celebrated with active support from the World Health
Organisation, the day tries to educate people about the
harmful effect of tobacco consumption and the urgent
need to quit it. Tobacco use is responsible for several
lakh deaths each year. The theme for this year is “Quit
tobacco to be a winner”. WHO also launched a “Commit
to Quit” campaign to encourage people who want to quit
smoking.
31
 APRIL
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
Observed globally every year to highlight the need to
improve the quality of life of those with autism so that
they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral
part of society. The theme for this day for 2021is
“Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and
Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World”.
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by
difficulties faced in social interaction and communication,
and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
April 2: International Children’s Book Day
The Day is observed by the International Board on
Books for Young People, an international non-profit
organization based at Basel, Switzerland, to inspire a
love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.
The theme for this year is “The Music of Words.”
April 5: National Maritime Day
Observed annually to raise awareness in supporting
intercontinental commerce and the global economy as
the most well-organized, safe and sound,
environmentally responsive approach of transporting
goods from one corner to another corner of the world.
On this day in 1919, SS Loyalty, the first ship of The
Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd sailed from
Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London).
April 5: International Day of Conscience
The United Nations has declared this day to remind
people to self-reflect, follow their conscience, and do the
right things. It's an opportunity to improve themselves
and their communities, stimulating a crucial turning
point for transforming our world.
The day aims to promote peace and love throughout the
world by highlighting the role of conscience in stopping
people from harming others orally, physically, sexually,
or mentally.
April 07: World Health Day
It is an initiative taken by the World Health Organization
to raise awareness about overall health and well-being
of people across the world. The Day aims to highlight
WHO’s constitutional principle that the enjoyment of the
highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being without
distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or
social condition. The theme for 2021 is “Building a
fairer, healthier world for everyone”.
April 10: World Homoeopathy Day
This day is celebrated to honor the birth of the father of
the Homoeopathic system of medicines Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann. Born on this day in 1755 in Paris, France,
he was a German physician, who was an acclaimed
scientist, a great scholar, and linguist. Homeopathy is an
alternative form of medicine, which believes that ‘Like
cures like.’ This year the theme of the day in India is,
“Homeopathy- Roadmap for Integrative Medicine”.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
April 11: National Safe Motherhood Day
It is an initiative of the White Ribbon Alliance India
(WRAI) to enforce that women must have the
availability and adequate access to care during
pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal services. At the
request of WRAI, an alliance of 1800 organizations, in
2003, the Government of India declared April 11, the
anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s birth day, as National
Safe Motherhood Day. India is the 1st country in the
world to have socially declared a National Safe
Motherhood Day.
April 11: World Parkinson’s Day
The day aims to raise awareness about Parkinson's
disease, which is a progressive nervous system
disorder. It is a condition that affects the brain,
resulting in a progressive loss of coordination and
movement of muscles, often marked by shaking of
hands.
It also marks the birthday of Dr James Parkinson (1755)
from London, who was the first person to systematically
describe the six individuals with the symptoms of
Parkinson Disease in 1817.
April 12: International Day of Human Space Flight
The day is celebrated and supported by the UNO to
mark the beginning of the space era for mankind and to
highlight the contribution of space science and
technology for peaceful purposes. On this day in 1961,
the first human space flight was carried out by Yuri
Gagarin, a Russian citizen, who became the first person
to journey into outer space.
April 13: India celebrates Baisakhi
The auspicious day of Baisakhi is celebrated all over
India though under different names and with different
sets of rituals. It marks the thanksgiving by the farmer
community for the bumper Rabi crops.
In north India, it is one of the biggest festivals of the
Sikhs as it marks the foundation of the Khalsa Panth on
this day by the 10th Guru Sri Gobind Singh.
People of Assam celebrate April 13 as Rongali Bihu,
while those in West Bengal celebrate it as Naba Barsha.
Bihar celebrates Baisakhi as Vaishakha in honour of the
Sun God, Surya while Kerala celebrates it as Vishu and
Tamil Nadu as Puthandu.
April 13: Siachen Day
Celebrated annually to pay solemn tributes to the
soldiers who laid down their lives to capture the icy
heights of Siachen in April 1984. The day
commemorates the courage and fortitude displayed by
Indian Army troops in securing the highest and coldest
battlefield in the world. On 13 April 1984, the Indian
Army launched ‘Operation Meghdoot’ to secure Bilafond
La and other passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline, from
Pakistani aggression.
32
April 15: World Art Day public service and excellence in work. The day provides
an unique opportunity for introspection as also for
working out future strategies to deal with the challenges
being posed by the ever changing times.
This date commemorates the day when the first home
minister of independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
addressed the probationers of Administrative Services
Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi; he referred to
civil servants as the 'steel frame of India'.

April 21: World Creativity and InnovationDay

Observed globally every year to raise awareness about
Celebrated globally every year with support from
the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-
UNESCO to promote the development, diffusion and
solving with respect to advancing the United Nations
enjoyment of art. This day is being celebrated all over
sustainable development goals, also known as the
the world to emphasize the importance of art that
“global goals”. The main objective of the day is to
nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for
encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions,
all peoples across the globe. The day also
and do creative thinking.
commemorates the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, the
famous painter of Mona Lisa. April 22: The Earth day
Observed to create awareness about pollution and to
April 17: World Haemophilia Day
celebrate the environment of our planet. According to
Observed globally to raise awareness for Haemophilia
the United Nations, International Mother Earth Day is
and other similar bleeding disorders. The day happens
celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its
to be the birthday of Frank Schnabelen, founder of the
ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance. The
World Federation of Haemophilia, a Montreal, Canada
landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200
based NGO. The theme for this year is “Adapting to
countries together in setting a common target to reduce
Change: Sustaining care in a new world”.
global greenhouse emissions, was signed on Earth Day
Haemophilia is a mostly inherited genetic disorder that
2016.
impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, a process
The theme of the day this year is ‘Restore Our Earth’. The
needed to stop bleeding. This results in people bleeding
theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green
for a longer time after an injury, easy bruising, and an
technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the
increased risk of bleeding inside joints or the brain.
world’s ecosystems.
April 18: World Heritage Day
April 23: World Book and Copyright Day
Also known as the International Day for Monuments and
Observed globally every year with support from
Sites, it is observed every year with support from
UNESCO to pay tribute to all those writers and authors
UNESCO to preserve the human heritage and recognize
who have contributed to the social and cultural progress
the efforts of the organizations working for it. It is a
collective effort of the communities in the world to do of humanity. The day aims at raising awareness about
the "power of books" and encouraging people across the
the needful to maintain the legacy and save the rich
world to read. Each year, UNESCO and the international
heritage which has been given to us by our ancestors.
organizations representing the three major sectors of
The theme for this year is “Complex Pasts: Diverse
the book industry -- publishers, booksellers, and
Futures”. Currently, there are 38 World Heritage Sites
libraries -- select the World Book Capital for a one-year
located in India.
period. This year, the city of Tbilisi in Georgia has been
April 19: World Liver Day selected as the World Book Capital for 2021.
Observed every year to spread awareness about the
April 23: English Language Day
liver, the second largest and the most complex organ in
Observed globally every year to mark the birthday and
the body, with the exception of the brain. Liver diseases
can be caused by hepatitis A, B, C, alcohol and drugs. date of death of legendary writer William Shakespeare.
Viral Hepatitis occurs due to consumption of This initiative was established by the UN’s Department
contaminated food and water. of Public Information in 2010 “to celebrate
multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to
April 21: Civil Services Day
The Government of India celebrates this day as an promote equal use of all six official languages
occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves throughout the Organization”. The English language is
to the cause of citizens and renew their commitments to spoken in 67 nations out of 195 countries in the world.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 33

April 24: National Panchayati Raj Day
Celebrated to highlight the role of Panchayats as the
first rung of local self-administration. Panchayati Raj
Institutions are the cornerstone of decentralized
governance and planning in India. Strengthening and
modernizing of the Panchayati Raj system has given a
new direction to the social and economic development
of the villages.
On this day in 1993, the Panchayati Raj Act (73rd
Amendment) came into existence. The Panchayati Raj is
the oldest system of local government. The word
'Panchayat' is an amalgamation of two words where
'Panch' means 'five' and 'Ayat' means 'assembly' and 'Raj'
means 'rule'.
April (24): World Veterinary Day
It is observed on the last Saturday of April every year.
The day aims to promote the veterinary profession and
work on improving animal and human welfare, the
environment, food safety, and animal transport. The day
was created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA)
in 2000 to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians
to the health of animals and society. The theme for this
year is ‘Veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis.’
April 25: World Malaria Day
Celebrated internationally to raise awareness about the
need for the prevention, control and elimination of
malaria. It is an opportunity to educate people for better
understanding of Malaria and how to cure it. Malaria is a
life-threatening disease which is caused by Plasmodium
Parasites. The parasite can be spread to humans
through the bites of infected female Anopheles
mosquitoes. However, it is a preventable and treatable
infectious disease. The theme for this year’s celebrations
is “Reaching the zero-malaria target.”
April 26: World Intellectual Property Day
The day is celebrated to make people know how
intellectual property (IP) rights encourage innovation
and creativity. The celebrations are supported by the
UN special agency - World Intellectual Property Office
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
(WIPO), Geneva. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is
necessary to be safe, therefore, WIPO is not organising
any physical events, and encouraged the community to
celebrate via virtual channels. This year the theme is
“SMEs & IP: Taking your ideas to market”.
April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
The day aims at promoting the prevention of
occupational accidents and diseases at the workplace. In
order to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases
at work, the International Labour Organization (ILO)
started celebrating this day in 2003. The theme for this
year’s celebrations is “Anticipate, prepare and respond
to crises: Invest now in resilient occupational safety and
health (OSH) systems''. It focuses on leveraging the
elements of an OSH system as set out in the Promotional
Framework for Occupational Safety and Health
Convention, 2006.
April 29: International Dance Day
This day was created by the Dance Committee of the
International Theatre Institute, Paris, the main partner
for the performing arts of UNESCO. The primary
purpose of Dance Day is to attract the attention of the
wider public to the art of dance. Emphasis should be
given to addressing a new public, people who do not
follow dance events during the year. This event marks
the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–
1810), the father of modern ballet. The theme of
International Dance Day 2021 is ‘Purpose of dance’.
April 30: Ayushman Bharat Diwas
The day aims to promote affordable medical facilities in
remote areas of the country based on the Socio-
Economic Caste Census database. It also aims to
promote health and wellness and provide insurance
benefits to the poor. This day marks the launch of
Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which is also known as
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) in 2018.
The Scheme has various benefits with an insurance
cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year.
ALL THE NEWS ITEMS IN THIS MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN SOURCED
FROM VARIOUS NEWS PAPERS AND GOVT. PRESS RELEASES.
34
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 35
 Bullet News
(December 2020 – March 2021)
For details visit – www.gyanm.in
NATIONAL NEWS
MARCH
➢ P M Narendra Modi visited capital Dhaka on a two-
day visit to Bangladesh on March 26-27. He
addressed the National Day Programme of
Bangladesh in Dhaka.
➢ The visit was in connection with the commemoration
of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
called ‘Father of the Nation in Bangladesh”.
➢ India and Norway have agreed to jointly work in the
area of marine spatial planning in the oceanic space
for the next five years.
➢ US Defence Secretary (counterpart of our defence
minister) Lloyd J Austin III visited India on March
19 for a three-day visit.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Virtual
Summit with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of
Finland, on March 16.
➢ PM Modi held a virtual summit with his Swedish
counterpart Stefan Löfven on March 5.
➢ India began its BRICS Chairship for 2021 with the
inaugural three-day-long Sherpas' meeting on Feb
24-26 at New Delhi.
➢ The theme for this year is “BRICS@15: Intra BRICS
Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and
Consensus”.
➢ Prime Minister Modi flagged off a Padyatra from
Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to Dandi
in district Navsari (Gujarat) on March 12.
➢ It marked the beginning of mega event ‘Azadi ka
Amrut Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of India’s
Independence.
➢ A National Implementation Committee set up
headed by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
plan celebrations of the 75 years of India’s
Independence.
➢ The Maritime India Summit-2021 was held on a
virtual platform from March 2 to 4 to discuss a
roadmap for India's Maritime sector for next
decade.
➢ The United Nations Development Program- UNDP
launched a campaign named ‘Sahi Disha’ (Right
Direction) to facilitate and promote women’s
livelihoods and entrepreneurship in the rural India.
➢ Google launched ‘Women Will’ web platform to help
one million women in rural India.
➢ It will help them become entrepreneurs through
business tutorials, tools and mentorship, as part of
the Google Internet Saathi programme.
➢ The UN General Assembly adopted on March 3 an
India sponsored resolution and supported by over
70 nations declaring 2023 as the International Year
of Millets.
➢ Millets are coarse grains such as jowar (sorghum),
ragi (finger millet), bajra (pearl millet).
➢ The Shipping Corporation of India flagged off an ‘All
Women Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo ship MT
Swarna Krishna from Mumbai.
➢ This was the first time in the world maritime history
that a ship was being sailed by all women officers.
➢ Government has decided to merge the Rajya Sabha
TV and Lok Sabha TV channels. The new channel
will now be known as Sansad TV.
➢ The Human Performance Indicator for Asia Pacific
has shown that India is at the top with 81 percent of
high performers practising flexible working,
including flexible hours and work-from-home.
➢ According to UNCTAD's Business-to-Consumer
(B2C) E-commerce Index 2020, Switzerland is the
36
 most prepared nation for adopting e-commerce.
India was placed at 71st spot.
➢ The UN World Happiness Report 2021 ranked
world's 149 countries on "how happy their citizens
perceive themselves to be''.
➢ India has been placed low at 139th rank. Finland has
been ranked as the happiest country in the world.
➢ The International Intellectual Property (IP) Index
2021 evaluated the status of IP rights in 53
economies. The USA topped the Index while India
was placed at 40th rank.
➢ The “Economic Freedom Index” for 184 countries,
ranked the countries based on the extent of freedom
available in four fields -- Rule of Law, Government
Size, Regulatory Efficiency, and Open Markets.
➢ Singapore topped the rankings for the second
consecutive year, while India scored low in the Index
securing 121st rank.
FEBRUARY
➢ India hosted a virtual health secretary-level meeting
with other South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation countries on Feb. 18 to discuss COVID-
19 crisis and exchange of best practices to tackle it.
➢ PM Modi virtually inaugurated the World
Sustainable Development Summit on Feb. 10. The
theme of the summit was ‘Redefining our common
future: Safe and secure environment for all’.
➢ The Union Cabinet approved the signing of
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and
Partnership Agreement with Mauritius on Feb. 17.
➢ MoU signed with Afghanistan for construction of
Shahtoot dam project on the River Kabul to provide
safe drinking water to Kabul City.
➢ UNICEF signed an agreement with Serum Institute
of India, Pune for long-term supply of
AstraZeneca/Oxford and the Novavax vaccines for
fighting Corona.
➢ Aatmanirbharta’ implying self-reliance has been
named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the
year 2020 as it “validated the day-to-day
achievements of the countless Indians who dealt
with and survived the perils of a pandemic”.
➢ New Delhi’s iconic monument “India Gate”
completed 100 years of its foundation laying on Feb
10, 1921. It was built in commemoration of more
than 80,000 Indian soldiers who were killed during
World War I.
➢ The SE Central Railways in Chhattisgarh created a
new record by operating the world’s longest ever
freight train by amalgamating 300 wagons of goods
trains as one unit of around 3.5 km in length.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ Named as ‘Vasuki’, it covered the distance of 224 km
between Bhilai and Korba in Chhattisgarh in about
seven hours.
➢ India’s biggest silk fair, 8th India International Silk
Fair was held from Jan 31 to Feb 4 by the Indian Silk
Export Promotion Council in virtual mode.
➢ India is the only country in the world which
produces all the four major varieties of silk i.e.,
Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga.
➢ According to data from the US agency, the National
Science Foundation (NSF), India is currently in third
place, only behind China and the United States, in
terms of number of scientific articles published in
2018.
➢ The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 placed India at
seventh rank in terms of losses suffered from
extreme weather events like cyclones, storms,
floods and heatwaves in the year 2019.
➢ The Democracy Index 2020 placed India at 53rd
position due to the “democratic backsliding” by
authorities and “crackdowns” on civil liberties.
➢ The Index was topped by Norway, followed by
Iceland and Sweden. North Korea was at the
bottom.
➢ The Corruption Perception Index, 2020, released by
Transparency International for 180 countries, has
placed India at 86th rank.
➢ New Zealand and Denmark jointly secured the first
position while Somalia and South Sudan ranked
lowest at 179th position.
➢ The Bloomberg Innovation Index ranked South
Korea as the most innovative nation, followed by
Singapore at second and Switzerland at the third
place. India was ranked 50th in the study of 111
countries.
➢ India and Nepal jointly inaugurated a 108-kilometre
road connecting Indian borders with several areas
of Nepal. The road runs from Laxmipur-Balara in
India to Nepal’s Gadhaiya in Sarlahi district.
➢ India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) for the reconstruction of six
secondary schools in the Himalayan nation at a cost
of Rs 32.63crore.
JANUARY
➢ The world’s largest vaccination programme began
in India on Jan 16 across all States/UTs. Currently,
two types of vaccine are being used:
➢ Covishield: Indian name for the vaccine developed
by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca,
produced in India by the Serum Institute of India,
Pune.
➢ Covaxin: Developed and produced by the
Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech Ltd. In
collaboration with the National Institute of Virology
of ICMR.
37
➢ Government has decided to celebrate the birthday
of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as ‘Parakram Diwas’
on 23rd of January every year.
➢ Further, one of the oldest trains of Indian Railways,
the Howrah-Kalka Mail has been renamed as the
‘Netaji Express’.
➢ The USA retained the top spot with Russia at second
spot in the 2021 Military Strength Ranking while
India was placed at 4th rank.The 51st International
➢ Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on 16 th Jan in
Goa, with the premiere of ‘Another Round’, a movie
by Thomas Vinterberg from Denmark.
➢ Bangladesh was the country of focus at this festival.
Veteran actor, director Biswajit Chatterjee was
conferred the ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ award.
➢ The Golden Peacock for the best film was won by
the film from Denmark ``Into the Darkness” directed
by Anders Refn.
➢ International Migration Report 2020 says that India
has the world’s largest diaspora with about 18
million people born there now living abroad.
➢ On the other hand, the US emerged as the top host
country for migrants with 51 million of them or 18
percent of the world’s total living there.
➢ The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was
held on Jan 9 in virtual format with the theme
“Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat’’.
➢ The Chief Guest was Chandrikapersad Santokhi,
President of Suriname.
➢ India’s 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was
launched from Goa on Jan 4 with ice-class vessel MV
Vasiliy Golovnin.
➢ The Union Cabinet approved the opening of Indian
Missions in three nations including Estonia,
Paraguay and the Dominican Republic in 2021.
➢ As per an international report released Christian
Aid, floods and Cyclone Amphan in India accounted
for maximum loss of lives in the world due to
climate change-triggered events in 2020.
➢ The National Metrology Conclave 2021 was
organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi.
DECEMBER
➢ USA conferred the country’s highest military
decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief
Commander, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Dec 21.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the
Virtual Global Climate Summit on the fifth
anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement on Dec
12.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
✓ The summit named Climate Ambition Summit
2020 was co-hosted by the UK, UN, and France
in partnership with China and Italy in virtual
mode.
✓ The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted by
196 Parties at COP21 in Paris on 12 December
2015.
➢ India hosted the 19th meeting of Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of
Government Meeting in virtual format on Nov 30.
➢ The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between
India, Iran and Uzbekistan on joint use of Chabahar
Port was held on Dec 14 in virtual mode.
➢ The centenary celebrations of the Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) and of Visva-
Bharati University in Shantiniketan (West Bengal)
were held in the 4th week of December.
➢ The Supreme Court ordered the Centre, states and
union territories to install CCTVs with night vision
cameras in each and every police station, including
central probe agencies such as CBI, ED, NIA etc.
across India.
➢ Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has tied up
with Hyderabad-based drug maker Hetero Drugs
for producing “over” 100 million doses of Sputnik V
Corona vaccine.
➢ The 10th edition of the prestigious National Science
Film Festival was held from 24 to 27 November in a
virtual mode.
➢ Malayalam film Jallikattu directed by Lijo Jose
Pellissery selected as India’s official entry for the
93rd Academy Awards – Oscars in the foreign-
language film category.
➢ The 3rd Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet
and Expo (RE-INVEST 2020) was held from Nov 26
to 28 in virtual mode.
➢ Indian Premier League – IPL was India’s most
searched word on Google in 2020, according to
Google India’s ‘Year in Search’ results.
➢ The World Bank approved four Indian projects
worth $ 818 million. The projects which were
accepted are:
✓ $ 400 million for Second Accelerating India’s
COVID-19 Social Protection Response
Programme
✓ $ 100 million for Chhattisgarh Inclusive Rural
and Accelerated Agriculture Growth Project
(CHIRAAG)
✓ $ 68 million for Enhancing Classroom Teaching
and Resources Project in Nagaland
✓ $ 250 million for Second Dam Improvement and
Rehabilitation Project (DRIP-2) for
improvements and strengthening of 120 dams
in India.
➢ The World Bank signed a $ 500 million deal for the
Green National Highway Corridors Project to
38
 develop safe and green highways in Rajasthan,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra
Pradesh.
➢ The New Development Bank, Shanghai approved a
loan for one billion dollar to provide support to
AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan through MGNREGA
Scheme.
➢ The Asian Development Bank approved technical
assistance of $ 2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) to
support advanced biofuels development in India.
➢ India has been ranked 10th in the top 10 in the
global Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) -
2020.
✓ Sweden topped the index at fourth spot,
followed by UK and Denmark at 5th and 6th
spot.
➢ The World Bank recently came out with its revised
‘Ease of Doing Business’ report for 2020 placing
India at 63rd rank. New Zealand topped the
rankings.
➢ The Human Freedom Index 2020, a worldwide
ranking of civil, economic and personal freedom,
placed India at the 111th spot out of 162 countries.
✓ The first three spots have been bagged by New
Zealand, Switzerland and Hong Kong,
respectively.
➢ India ranked 131stamong 189 countries in the 2020
Human Development Index, a report released by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
✓ Norway topped the index, followed by Ireland,
Switzerland and Hong Kong.
➢ Transparency International’s report titled “Global
Corruption Barometer – Asia” has found that India
has the highest bribery rate at 39%.
➢ Keith Gomes’ short film ‘Shameless’ selected as
India’s official entry at the 93rd Academy Awards
(Oscars) in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category.
NEWS FROM STATES
MARCH
➢ The government declared Lakshadweep and Jammu
and Kashmir's Budgam district to be first in the
country to be free from TB.
➢ Among states, Himachal Pradesh was declared first
under the National TB Elimination Programme.
➢ As per the 'Ease of Living Index' by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs, Bengaluru topped as the
most liveable city among 111 cities covered in the
index, followed by Pune, and Ahmedabad.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ Manipur has been declared as the best state under
the government’s Van Dhan Vikas Yojana for
generating maximum employment for the local
tribals.
➢ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs released
the Municipal Performance Index for the 111 Indian
cities.
➢ Indore Municipality topped in the million plus
category, while New Delhi Municipal Council topped
in less than million category.
➢ The First Forest Healing centre of the country was
inaugurated at Ranikhet in Uttarakhand.
➢ The centre has been developed after research on the
healing properties of the forests and their impact on
overall health and wellbeing.
➢ Country’s first ever dedicated Express Cargo
Terminal was launched at the Kempegowda
International Airport, Bengaluru.
➢ The terminal has been launched for meeting export/
import operations of international couriers.
➢ The Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) was
inaugurated on river Feni connecting Sabroom in
South Tripura to Ramgarh in Bangladesh on March
9.
➢ The bridge will connect landlocked Tripura with
Chittagong port in Bangladesh and other inland
waterways.
➢ Govt has selected 12 tourist sites spanning across
nine states and UTs under the Swachh Iconic Places
initiative of the newly formed Ministry of Jal Shakti.
➢ Leh, a great seat of Buddhism in Ladakh has been
shortlisted under the National Mission on
Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality
Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme.
➢ Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered
a Buddhist monastery in the Hazaribagh district of
Jharkhand. Almost 900 years old monastery was
buried under a mound in a village of Jharkhand.
FEBRUARY
➢ Kerala has set up the country's first Digital
University in Technocity at Mangalapuram near
Thiruvananthapuram, named as the Kerala
University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and
Technology.
➢ India’s first Carbon Watch, a mobile app for
assessing carbon footprints was launched by the
Environment and Forest department of Chandigarh.
➢ It assesses the amount of carbon dioxide emission
made by an individual into the atmosphere.
39
➢ India's first ever geothermal power project named
Geothermal Field Development Project, is to be
established at Puga village in eastern Ladakh.
➢ India's first centralised AC railway terminal has
been started at the Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in
Byppanahalli, Bengaluru.
➢ Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the
country to make the end-to-end processing of the
cabinet paperless by implementing e-cabinet
application.
➢ The Gujarat Govt inked an agreement with Adani
Ports and SEZ Ltd. to set up India’s largest multi-
modal logistics park at Virochannagar, Ahmedabad.
➢ The longest road arch bridge in India, the Wahrew
Bridge at Sohbar, Meghalaya was formally
inaugurated on Jan 22. The Single Arch Bridge has a
span of 169.35 metre over the River Wahrew.
➢ Sikkim state launched the ‘Free Gift Milk to Girl
Students of Sikkim’ initiative at the capital Gangtok
to eradicate malnutrition and other health problems
among the young generation.
➢ Union Transport Ministry has approved an
investment of Rs. 13,000 crore for the proposed
Delhi-Dehradun expressway that will reduce the
travel time to 2.5 hours from 6.5 hours at present.
➢ A glacier burst took place on Feb 7 near the Rishi
Ganga hydro power project after a portion of Nanda
Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of
Uttarakhand.
➢ It caused heavy flash floods in river Rishi Ganga,
destroying the Rishi Ganga hydro power project.
➢ Union Environment Ministry approved the Lakhwar
electricity project on Yamuna river in district
Dehradun of Uttarakhand.
➢ The week-long 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival was
held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh from Feb 20 to
26.
➢ Uttar Pradesh became the first state in the country
to table a paperless budget in the state assembly on
Feb 22.
JANUARY
➢ As per the Innovation Index-2020 by NITI Aayog,
Karnataka retained its first position in the Major
States category.
➢ In the North East and Hill States category, Himachal
stood first while Delhi was first in the UTs and small
states category.
➢ The World Meteorological Organisation awarded
the status of the “Centennial Observing Station” to
the Patna Meteorological Centre in recognition of its
meteorological observations for over 100 years.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ World’s largest floating solar energy project of 600
MW is being set up in the backwaters of
Omkareshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh.
➢ India’s first Labour Movement Museum is being
launched in Alappuzha, Kerala
➢ Country’s first Pollinator Park was opened in
Haldwani in Uttarakhand. Spread over 4 acres, the
park has more than 40 pollinator species.
➢ The India Meteorological Department opened its
second Meteorological Centre-MC in the Himalayan
region at Leh in Ladakh.
➢ The first one is at Itanagar in Arunachal. Located at
3,500 metres above sea level, it is the highest MC in
India.
➢ India’s first hot air balloon safari in a tiger reserve
was launched on Dec 25 in Madhya Pradesh’s world
famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
➢ The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation
has been announced as the best performing civic
body in India.
➢ The Union Cabinet approved 5200 crore rupees for
850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project located on
river Chenab, in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir.
➢ The entire state of Nagaland was declared a
disturbed area for another six more months from
Dec 30 under the Section 3 of the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, 1958.
➢ In Manipur, the Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was
held on Jan 9 in Mao town of Senapati district
marking the beginning of pink season in the district.
➢ A 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in
Kerala and Mangaluru in Karnataka was
inaugurated on Jan 5.
DECEMBER
➢ Lakshadweep has become the first U T to become
100% organic as all the farming here is carried out
without the use of chemical pesticides/fertilizers.
➢ Nongpok Sekmai police station in Manipur’s
Thoubal district has been chosen as the best
performing Police Station in the country.
➢ The foundation stone for the world’s largest
renewable energy park was laid at Khavda in
Gujarat’s Kutch to produce power from energy of
Sun and the wind.
✓ Spread over 72,600 hectares of waste land, the
30,000-MW hybrid renewable energy park will
be built along the Indo-Pak border at Khavda.
➢ Gwalior and Orchha of Madhya Pradesh have been
included in the list of World Heritage Cities by
UNESCO.
✓ Orchha in Bundelkhand region is famous for its
16th century temples and palaces. Gwalior city
is known for its historic monuments, forts, and
palaces.
40
➢ Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change approved construction of the Song Dam
Drinking Water Project on River Rispanain
Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
➢ The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh bagged
the international award TX2 for more than doubling
the number of tigers in the past four years, from 25
to 65.
➢ The Assam govt has proposed setting up of a 6 th
national park named Raimona National Park in an
area of 422 sq km. in Ripu reserve forest.
➢ The largest Solar Project at a high altitude in the
entire Leh–Ladakh UT has been established at the
Air Force Station Leh with 15 megawatt capacity.
➢ The 21st edition of the famous Hornbill Festival was
held in virtual mode at the Naga Heritage village,
Kisama in Nagaland from Dec 1 to 5.
➢ A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 and a postal
stamp was released to mark the centennial
foundation day of the University of Lucknow in
Uttar Pradesh.
ADB TO FUND SEVERAL PROJECTS IN INDIA
➢ $430 million to Uttar Pradesh to strengthen 65,000
km of rural low-voltage distribution lines,
benefitting 46,000 villages.
➢ $133 million has been given to strengthen the
power distribution sector in Meghalaya. The funds
from ADB will be used for supporting the state’s
‘24X7Power for All’ initiative.
➢ $300 million to upgrade rural power distribution
networks in Uttar Pradesh.
➢ $190 million for modernisation and upgradation of
power distribution system in city of Bengaluru.
➢ $231 million loan to develop the 120 MW Lower
Kopili Hydroelectric Power Project on River Kopili
in district Dima Hasao in Assam.
➢ $2.86 million to the Tripura for the development of
urban areas and tourism in the state.
➢ $4.21 million project readiness financing (PRF)
facility to improve urban amenities and develop
tourism infrastructure in Tripura.
GOVT INITIATIVES
MARCH
➢ Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain Campaign
launched for both rural and urban areas, with the
theme “catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls”.
➢ The National Highways Authority of India has
decided to develop world class ‘Wayside Amenities’
at more than 600 locations across 22 states in the
next five years.
➢ The amenities will include numerous facilities such as
Fuel Station, Electric Charging, Food Court, Retail
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Shops, ATM, Toilets, Children Playing Area, Clinic,
Village Haat for local handicrafts etc.
➢ Government launched an ambitious scheme “Gram
Ujala'', for offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs
in rural areas at a nominal cost of Rs. 10 per bulb.
➢ The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution launched Mera Ration Mobile App for
the benefit of those ration card holders who move
to new places in search of livelihood.
➢ Railway has integrated all railway helplines into
single number 139 which is Rail Madad Helpline for
quick grievance redressal and enquiry during the
journey.
➢ The Women and Child Development Ministry has
decided to classify all its major programmes under
three Umbrella Schemes- Mission Shakti, Mission
Poshan 2.0, and Mission Vatsalya- for their better
implementation.
➢ Government launched the Sugamya Bharat App for
people with disabilities and even the elderly to
register issues regarding physical accessibility to
buildings, in modes of transport by uploading
pictures on it.
➢ Government has decided to form a Centre of
Excellence in online gaming with focus on VFX and
Animation in collaboration with IIT Bombay.
➢ UGC has approved Chartered Accountant (CA),
Company Secretary (CS) or Cost and Works
Accountant (ICWA) degrees as equivalent to
postgraduate degree.
➢ The government announced new policies for
regulation of content on social media and over the
top (OTT) platforms.
➢ Now the govt can ask the social platforms to reveal
the first originator of any message that appears to be
anti-national and detrimental to the security and
sovereignty of the country.
➢ Further, all such messages may be asked to be
removed within 36 hours of it being flagged under
Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.
➢ Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon and Google’s
YouTube, etc. must self-regulate and classify content
in categories according to age.
FEBRUARY
➢ The first-ever National Toy Fair was held in virtual
mode from 27th Feb to 2nd March to boost toy
making in India and improving its global market
share.
➢ Government approved 8 toy manufacturing clusters
with investment of Rs 2,300 crore.
41
➢ The National Urban Digital Mission launched for
providing an online platform for harnessing
potential from the urban domain and technology
towards creating citizen-centric governance.
➢ Go Electric Campaign launched to boost the
adoption of electric mobility vehicles and electric
cooking appliances to ensure energy security in the
country.
➢ Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
launched to develop primary, secondary and
tertiary healthcare systems.
➢ It will strengthen existing health systems and
support future health interventions with an outlay
of about 64,180 crores over next 6 years.
➢ Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 launched to
expand immunization coverage across the nation
with focus on children and pregnant women who
did not get the vaccines during COVID-19
pandemic.
➢ The Ministry of Education has decided to name
residential schools and hostels funded under
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as 'Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose residential schools and hostels'.
➢ The National Informatics Centre launched an instant
messaging platform called Sandes, the Indian
version of WhatsApp.
➢ Sandes can be used for all kinds of communications
by anyone with a mobile number or email id.
➢ An online portal “e-Chhawani” launched to offer
civil services to more than 20 lakh residents of 62
Cantonments Boards across the country.
➢ ‘Shram Shakti’ portal launched to collect data
related to the tribal migrant workers and to link
them to the existing welfare schemes.
➢ A new Central Sector Scheme titled 'Formation and
Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations
(FPOs)' launched.
➢ The FPOs will form clusters to grow agricultural and
horticultural products for leveraging economies of
scale and improving market access.
➢ The FPOs will be provided financial assistance upto
Rs 18 lakh per FPO for a period of three years.
➢ The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) amended
the Companies Rules to allow NRIs to incorporate
one person companies (OPCs) in India.
➢ Further, the residency condition for NRIs has been
reduced to 120 days from 182 days earlier.
➢ Under the new rules, the paid-up capital and
turnover of the small company or OPC shall not
exceed Rs 2 crores and Rs. 20 crores, respectively.
➢ India established its first centre for wetland
conservation in Chennai, named as ‘Centre for
Wetland Conservation and Management’.
➢ It is part of the National Centre for Sustainable
Coastal Management under the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ The Election Commission launched electronic
version of the voters’ photo identity card e-EPIC
(electoral photo identity card), which can be stored
on mobile phones and downloaded on personal
computers.
JANUARY
➢ Startup India Seed Fund Scheme launched with Rs.
1,000 crore fund base to provide financial
assistance to startups for their overall development.
➢ Government launched an inter-ministerial venture
‘Toycathon’ to conceptualize innovative toys based
on the Indian value system.
➢ Six Light House Projects launched under the Global
Housing Technology Challenge-India in six states to
build over 1,000 houses in each project.
➢ India’s first ever driverless train was flagged off on
Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line covering 37 km stretch,
having ability to run with speed up to 95 kmph.
➢ NITI Aayog launched India’s first Digital Asset
Management and Storage platform, called ‘DigiBoxx’
to provides an easy and secure way to store all the
files in one centralised location.
➢ Petroleum Conservation Research Association
under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
launched a month-long campaign SAKSHAM on Jan
16.
➢ It aims to highlight the adverse impacts of
increasing carbon footprints and need to switch to
cleaner fuels.
➢ The National Innovation Foundation, an
autonomous body of the Deptt. Of Science and
Technology, Govt of India, opened the National
Innovation Portal to the general public.
➢ The portal is home to 1.15 lakh innovations scouted
from public, covering Engineering, Agriculture, and
Human Health.
➢ The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
inducted the first batch of over 100 women calamity
combatants and rescuers, thereby opening another
frontier to women.
➢ Global Pravasi Rishta portal and app launched to act
as a dynamic communication platform between
NRIs, Ministry of External Affairs and missions
abroad.
➢ The Khadi and Village Industries Commission
unveiled an e-commerce portal — eKhadiIndia.com.
Over 50,000 products, ranging from apparel to
home décor, will be available on this portal.
DECEMBER
➢ Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launched a new
web portal and mobile app named E-Sampada to
provide online access to all the properties owned by
the central government.
42
➢ The Union Cabinet approved setting up of public
Wi-Fi networks across the country by the name PM
Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (WANI) scheme.
➢ The union cabinet approved the Atmanirbhar
Bharat Rojgar Yojana to boost employment in the
formal sector during the Covid recovery phase.
✓ Govt. will provide subsidy for two years in
respect of PF of new employees engaged on or
after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June,
2021.
ECONOMY
MARCH
➢ Agriculture Ministry released the second advance
estimates of production of principal crops in the
year 2020-21.
➢ Country’s foodgrain production is projected at a
record 303.34 million tonnes for crop year 2020- 21.
The crop year in India is from July to June.
➢ In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential, the
first consignment of ‘red rice’ was sent to the USA
on March 4.
➢ Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of
Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer.
➢ China pushed USA to 2nd spot to emerge India’s
biggest trade partner in 2020 as India continued to
rely on import of machinery and telecom equipment
from China.
➢ Government has raised the limit for tax exemption
on interest earned on provident fund contributions
by employees to Rs. 5 lakh per annum in specified
cases as against 2.5 lakh rupees proposed in the
Budget.
FEBRUARY
➢ As per the World Economic Situation and Prospects
2021 report by the UN Deptt. Of Economic and
Social Affairs, the Indian economy is estimated to
contract by 9.6 per cent in the calendar year 2020.
➢ The Reliance Jio, the largest mobile network
operator in India, has been ranked 5th on Brand
Finance’s Global 500 ranking of the strongest
brands.
JANUARY
➢ As per the data released by the National Statistical
Office on Jan 7, India’s GDP is expected to contract
by 7.7% in fiscal 2020-21, India’s worst economic
performance since 1961-62.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has
announced that India’s new Foreign Trade Policy
will come into effect from April 1, 2021 for 5 years.
➢ As per the annual World Cooperative Monitor
Report, 2020, Indian coop. giant IFFCO has topped
among 300 leading cooperatives in the world, on
the basis of ratio of turnover over the GDP per
capita.
DECEMBER
➢ Data released by the National Statistics Office
showed that Indian economy shrinked by 7.5% in
the quarter ending Sep 30 against a fall of 23.9%
during the stringent lockdown months of quarter
ending June 30.
➢ The Reliance Industries-BP Plc combine started
production of natural gas in Asia’s deepest gas block
at the deepwater R cluster.
✓ The gas field is located at a water depth of
greater than 2000 meters in the Bay of Bengal,
near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
➢ India’s first indigenously developed 100 Octane
premium petrol was launched under the brand
name ‘XP-100’ on Dec 1 by the Indian Oil
Corporation.
➢ During April-September 2020, India attracted FDI
worth $8.30 billion from Singapore, making it top
source of FDI, followed by USA investing $ 7.12
billion. FDI in India has increased by 13%, though
globally it fell by 42%.
BANKING & FINANCE
MARCH
➢ The RBI has set up an external advisory committee
to evaluate applications for “on-tap” licensing of
universal banks and small finance banks (SFBs).
➢ The committee will be chaired by the former RBI
deputy governor Shyamala Gopinath. The panel will
have a tenure of three years.
➢ The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to set up a
Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an
initial capital infusion of 20 thousand crore rupees.
➢ The DFI will raise long-term funds for infrastructure
development projects in the country.
➢ Govt lifted embargo on private sector banks for
conduct of government business related
transactions such as tax collection and other
revenue payment facilities, pension payment and
small saving schemes.
➢ RBI has asked all banks to implement the image-
based Cheque Truncation System in all branches by
43
 Sep. 30 this year to facilitate faster settlement of
cheques.
➢ National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
partnered with SBI Payments to launch ‘RuPay
SoftPoS’ for millions of Indian merchants.
➢ This will transform NFC (Near Field Communication)
enabled smartphones into merchant Point of Sale
(PoS) terminals for the retailers.
➢ On March 10, Axis Bank became the first bank in
India to launch its own range of wearable
contactless payment devices.
➢ Dubbed as ‘Wear N Pay’, these are available in many
forms as arm band, key chain and watch loop.
FEBRUARY
➢ The RBI brought the State Bank of Sikkim under its
regulatory purview from Feb 22. Now, RBI will
function as a banker to the state government of
Sikkim.
➢ The RBI formed a committee headed by
N.S.Vishwanathan for drawing a vision document to
strengthen urban co-operative banks.
➢ The agricultural credit target for the public sector
banks for the year 2021-22 hiked to Rs. 16.5 lakh
crore with focus on animal husbandry, dairy, and
fisheries.
➢ State Bank of India crossed the Rs 5 lakh crore-
mark in its home loan business in Feb. 2021,
securing 34% of the market share.
JANUARY
➢ RBI has started Payments Infrastructure
Development Fund on Jan 5 to create 30 lakh new
touch points every year for promoting digital
payments in Tier-3 to Tier-6 centres.
➢ RBI launched a composite Digital Payments Index
(DPI) to measure the extent of digitisation of
payments in India, with March 2018 as the base
period with the score set at 100.
➢ Accordingly, the DPI for March 2019 and March
2020 is 153.47 and 207.84 respectively, indicating
appreciable growth.
➢ RBI declared the continuation of the D-SIB
(Domestic Systemically Important Banks) status for
➢
3 Banks for the year 2020 – ICICI Bank, State Bank
of India and HDFC Bank.
RBI has set up a working group headed by Jayant
Kumar Dash to review the functioning of digital
lending, including lending through online platforms
and mobile apps.
➢ RBI has directed that the Legal Entity Identifiers-LEI
will be mandatory for all fund transfers worth Rs.
50 crore and above made via RTGS/NEFT.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ The LEI is a 20-digit number to identify parties
involved in financial transactions world over.
➢ The Exim Bank raised $1-billion through a ten year
bond issue to provide support to overseas Indian
projects and investment.
➢ Airtel Payments Bank launched a new feature ‘Airtel
SafePay’ to protect Airtel customers from the
growing incidents of online payment frauds.
➢ The government has raised the authorised capital
Punjab & Sind Bank to Rs.10, 000 crore from Rs.
3,000 crore at present.
➢ The Shivalik Mercantile Coop Bank, HO-
Saharanpur, UP has become the first urban co-
operative bank in India to receive a licence from RBI
to operate as a Small Finance Bank.
DECEMBER
➢ RBI has proposed to enhance the limit for
contactless card transactions from Rs 2,000 to Rs
5,000 from January 1, 2021.
✓ Limit on e-mandates for recurring transactions
through cards and UPI will be increased from
Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 from January 1, 2021.
➢ RBI extended timings for RTGS to round the clock
24X7 on all days of the week wef Dec. 14, 2020.
➢ The IndusInd Bank in partnership with Mastercard
launched India’s first metal credit card – ‘PIONEER
Heritage’ – for its ultra-high net worth customers.
➢ India Post and the India Post Payments Bank
launched a new digital payment app ‘DakPay’ for its
customers to operate their banking services online.
➢ ICICI Bank launched a first of its kind online
platform ‘Infinite India’for foreign firms looking to
set up their business in India. It will offer them
banking solutions along with other value-added
services.
➢ ICICI Bank launched a new version of its mobile
payment app ‘iMobile Pay’ which allows payments
and other banking services to customers of any
other bank.
➢ HDFC Bank Ltd crossed market capitalisation of Rs.
8 trillion for the first time on Nov 25, becoming
India’s first bank to achieve this milestone.
DEFENCE, SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
MARCH
➢ According to defence website Military Direct, China
with 82 points has the strongest military force in
the world.
44
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 45
➢ The USA, despite its enormous military budgets, came
in 2nd place with 74 points, followed by Russia with
69, India - 61 and then France with 58 points.
➢ In terms of military spending, the USA is at the top
with a budget of $ 732 billion per year, followed by
China ($261 billion), and India - $71 billion.
➢ Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vajra’ was commissioned
into service at Chennai Port Trust on March 24. The
ship was indigenously designed and built by Larsen
and Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd.
➢ The Ministry of Defence placed an order with
Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Hyderabad for supply of
4,960 MILAN-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles at a cost
of Rs 1,188 crore.
➢ India is set to commission its first advanced
surveillance ship INS Dhruv to track satellites,
strategic missiles and map the Indian Ocean bed.
➢ DRDO successfully tested the Solid Fuel Ducted
Ramjet (SFDR) technology for the long-range air to
air missiles from Integrated Test Range at
Chandipur, Odisha.
➢ The INS Shardul and MNS Trozona of Madagascar
carried out their first Passage Exercise (PASSEX) on
24 March in western Indian Ocean near
Madagascar.
➢ The Indian Navy undertook the Passage Exercise
(PASSEX) with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force under
Operation Sankalp in the Persian Gulf on March 17.
➢ DUSTLIK-II: Second edition of the India - Uzbekistan
joint military exercise was held in Ranikhet,
Uttarakhand from March 10 to 19.
➢ Indian Air Force took part in the multinational
exercise Desert Flag on March 3 along with France
and the United States in the UAE.
➢ India signed a key pact with the Philippines for
supply of defence material and equipment,
including BrahMos Cruise Missiles to the
Philippines.
➢ Indian Air Force gifted a legacy Alouette III
helicopter to the Bangladesh Air Force to
commemorate the Golden Jubilee of 1971 War of
Liberation. Bangladesh Air Force in return gifted a
legacy F-86 Sabre fighter jet to India.
➢ France launched the world's first military exercise
codenamed ASTREX in space from March 8 to 12
aimed at testing the country's abilities to protect its
satellites and other defence equipment from other
space forces.
➢ ISRO and NASA jointly developed a Synthetic
Aperture Radar- SAR capable of producing
extremely high-resolution images for a joint Earth
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
observation satellite mission that will be launched
by ISRO in early 2022.
➢ ISRO successfully launched surveillance satellite
‘Sindhu Netra’ on Feb 28. It has been developed by
the DRDO to monitor activities of both military
warships and merchant shipping in the Indian
Ocean.
➢ A Bengaluru based deep-tech start-up ‘Log 9
Materials’ announced the launch of a rapid charging
battery technology for electric vehicles.
➢ Based on supercapacitor technology and ‘Graphene’,
these batteries can be fully charged in just 15 minutes
and have a longer life of over 15 years.
➢ ISRO launched 19 satellites from Brazil, USA and
India on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-
C51 (PSLV-C51) rocket from Sriharikota on Feb 28.
➢ Of the 19 satellites, Brazil's 637-kilogram Amazonia 1
optical earth observation satellite was the primary
passenger.
➢ The world’s most powerful supercomputer named
“Fugaku”, developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu of Japan,
is now available for research work. It has
astonishing high speed of processing of 442
petaflops.
➢ A Japanese-Australian venture has begun producing
hydrogen from brown coal in a test project that
aims to show liquefied hydrogen can be produced
and exported safely to Japan.
➢ The Russian space corporation Roscosmos
successfully launched its first satellite “Arktika-M”
to monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment.
FEBRUARY
➢ L&T delivered to Indian Army the 100th and final
unit of K-9 Vajra-T 155 mm/ 52 calibre self-
propelled guns built at its Hazira plant in Gujarat.
➢ The Indian Navy got its third indigenously built
Scorpene Submarine on Feb 15, to be commissioned
as INS Karanj in March, 2021.
➢ Indian Army placed an order with Indian Ordnance
Factory, Avadi, Tamil Nadu for 118 Arjun Mark 1-A
tanks - ‘Hunter Killers’.
➢ It has all-weather capability and better fire power
and stability than the Arjun main battle tank (MBT)
currently in use.
➢ The Indian Army successfully tested the Helina
(Army Version) and Dhruv Astra (Air Force
Version) Missile Systems designed and developed
by DRDO.
➢ For the first time in the history of CRPF, a
contingent of 34 CRPF women personnel was
46
 inducted into specialised jungle warfare commando
force CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute
Action).
➢ Asia’s biggest aero show “Aero India-2021” was
held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru,
Karnataka from Feb 3 to 5.
➢ PASSEX: The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy
conducted bilateral military exercise PASSEX in the
Arabian Sea on Feb 18
➢ Yudh Abhyas 20: The India-US joint military
exercise was held in Mahajan Field Firing Range of
Bikaner district in Rajasthan from Feb 8 to 21.
➢ AMPHEX–21: A large-scale tri-service joint
amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was conducted
in Andaman & Nicobar Islands from January 21-25.
➢ Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of
the surface-to-surface ballistic cruise missile
‘Babur’, having a range of 450 kms.
➢ ISRO has tied up with the digital mapping/location
tech company MapmyIndia to offer a fully
indigenous, mapping portal and related geospatial
services.
➢ The India Meteorological Department plans to set
up India's first thunderstorm research testbed at
Balasore, Odisha, jointly with ISRO and DRDO.
➢ The project aims at reducing fatalities and loss of
property due to frequent cyclones and lightning
strikes in Odisha and the eastern states.
➢ The American space agency NASA successfully
landed its fifth rover 'Perseverance' on Mars on Feb
18 in a deep crater near the planet's equator called
Jezero.
➢ Researchers from five institutes across India have
discovered a new gecko species in Arunachal
Pradesh.
➢ The new species belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus
commonly known as bent-toed geckos.
➢ Gecko is a small size lizard found in warm climates.
➢ Bharti Airtel became the country's first telecom
operator to successfully demonstrate live fifth-
generation (5G) service over a commercial network
in Hyderabad city on Jan 28.
➢ A rocket from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, an US aerospace
company created a new record by launching 143
satellites at one time into space on January 24.
JANUARY
➢ DRDO successfully tested indigenously developed
Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon--SAAW from Hawk-I
aircraft off the Odisha coast.
➢ It is capable of engaging ground enemy airfield
assets such as radars, bunkers, and runways etc. up
to a range of 100 kilometres.
➢ DRDO and the Indian Army’s Infantry School at
Mhow (MP) have jointly developed India’s first
indigenous 9mm machine pistol named ‘Asmi’.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ The govt approved the export of the indigenously
built surface-to-air missile system Akash.
➢ It has a range of 25 km and can target fighter jets,
cruise missiles, drones, etc.
➢ The DRDO inducted twenty-one 'bike ambulances'
in the CRPF for casualty evacuation tasks in remote
Naxal violence and insurgency-affected areas.
➢ The customised 'Rakshita' ambulances have been
built on 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles by the
Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences,
New Delhi.
➢ DRDO & Indian Navy successfully tested SAHAYAK-
NG, India’s first indigenously designed and
developed Air Dropped Container from IL 38SD
aircraft of Indian Navy off the coast of Goa.
➢ KAVACH: A joint exercise of Indian Army, Navy, Air
Force and the Coast Guard conducted in the last
week of January under the aegis of the Andaman
and Nicobar Command.
➢ Sea Vigil-21: Indian Navy coordinated the largest
coastal defence exercise along the entire 7,516-
kilometre long coastline on Jan 12-13.
➢ Ex Desert Knight-21: Joint exercise of Indian Air
Force and French Air and Space Force conducted at
Air Force Station, Jodhpur, Jan 20-24.
➢ PASSEX: Indian and Vietnamese Navy’s two-day
passage exercise on Dec 26-27 in the South China
Sea.
➢ The Ministry of Electronics and IT announced the
establishment of a first of its kind Quantum
Computing Applications Lab in India in partnership
with Amazon Web Services.
➢ The move will give select researchers, scientists
access to Amazon’s Braket cloud-based quantum
computing service.
➢ Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) unveiled
India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal
vaccine ‘Pneumosil’ on Dec 28.
➢ Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace became the
first private company to successfully test-fire the
technology demonstration version of their solid
fuelled propulsion rocket motor – Kalam-5.
DECEMBER
➢ In a first, India has inducted two American drones
— MQ-9B Sea Guardian, unarmed version of the
deadly Predator series — into the Navy.
➢ They were put into flying operations at Indian Navy
base INS Rajali at Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
➢ Govt approved a new post of a Deputy Chief of Army
Staff - Strategy, who will act as a “single-point
advice” person to the Vice Chief of Army on
operational issues.
➢ India’s first advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
Facility of DRDO was launched in Hyderabad. It is
47
 capable of simulating speeds of Mach 5 to 12.
(mach is speed of sound. One mach= 1234.8 km per
hour )
➢ ICGS Saksham and ICGS Sujeet, indigenously built
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) were commissioned
at Goa.
➢ INS Himgiri, a Nilgiri-class frigate under 'Project
17A' was launched at the Garden Reach
Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) facility at Kolkata.
➢ The Indian Navy has placed an order with the Israeli
firm Smart Shooter for supply of ‘SMASH 2000 Plus’
fire control systems for fitting on AK-47 and AK 203
rifles.
➢ Ind-Indo Corpat: The 35th edition of India-
Indonesia Coordinated Patrol was conducted by
Navies of India and Indonesia in Indian Ocean on
Dec 17-18.
➢ Passage Exercise (PASSEX): The Indian Navy along
with Russian Navy conducted a joint naval exercise
in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region on Dec 4-5.
➢ ISRO successfully launched the country’s new
communication satellite CMS-01 onboard PSLV-C50
rocket from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
➢ ISRO has set up a dedicated Space Situational
Awareness Control Centre named “NETRA”, at its
ISTRAC campus at Peenya, Bengaluru.
✓ The “NEtwork for space object TRacking and
Analysis (NETRA)” will monitor, track and
protect India’s space assets.
➢ Russian space agency Roscosmos test-launched its
heavy lift space rocket Angara A5 on Dec 14 from
the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northwest Russia.
✓ It is capable of carrying payloads heavier than
20 tonnes into orbit.
➢ The East Coast Railway became the first railway
zone in the country to commission the “End of Train
Telemetry System” to run trains without guards.
➢ China's Chang'e-5 probe successfully touched down
on Earth on Dec 17, bringing home the first samples
of the moon in over 40 years.
➢ China’s ‘Chang’e 5 lunar probe achieved an historic
feat on Dec 3 by planting China’s national flag on the
Moon's surface.
✓ China became the second country in the world
to unfurl its national flag on the moon, first
being the USA during the Apollo mission in
1969.
➢ On Dec 5, Japanese spaceship Hayabusa-2
successfully released towards earth a small capsule
containing samples from the asteroid Ryugu, which
is about 300 million km away from earth.
➢ Chinese scientists have built the world's first light-
based quantum computer ‘Jiuzhang’ which is one
trillion times faster than the most powerful
supercomputer.
✓ It took a little over three minutes to complete a
task that the world’s fastest conventional
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
machines would not be able to complete in 600
million years.
➢ Researchers at University of Texas, USA, have
created the world’s smallest memory device
yetdown to just one single square nanometre.
INTERNATIONAL
MARCH
➢ Norway plans to build the world's first ship tunnel,
designed to help vessels to avoid navigating the
treacherous Stadhavet Sea.
➢ The 1700 metre long, 37 metre high and 26.5-metre-
wide tunnel will burrow through the mountainous
Stadhavet peninsula in northwestern Norway.
➢ The First Quad Leaders’ Summit was held virtually
on March 12. Prime Ministers of India, Australia,
Japan and US President participated in the Summit.
➢ Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
participated virtually in the First G20 Finance
Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG)
meeting on Feb 26 under the Italian Presidency.
➢ The 11th edition of the QS World University
Rankings placed the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), USA at top for the ninth year in a
row.
➢ Australia’s Parliament on Feb 25 passed
amendments to their News Media Bargaining Code
as per which Facebook agreed to lift a ban on
Australians accessing and sharing news.
➢ The new rules force online platforms like Google and
Facebook to pay for news they source from local
media.
FEBRUARY
➢ The Myanmar Military Tatmadaw (official name of
Myanmar Military) executed a coup in the country
on Feb 1.
➢ Military arrested the State Counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior leaders
of the ruling party National League for Democracy.
➢ Denmark plans to build the world’s first energy
island in the North Sea to cover the electricity needs
of 3 million European households.
➢ The energy will be generated from hundreds of
wind turbines surrounding the island.
➢ The United States has extended the New START
(Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) nuclear arms
control treaty with Russia for five years from Feb
2021.
➢ The treaty aims to make the world safer as
unconstrained nuclear competition would endanger
the entire world.
48
➢ The Office for National Statistics, UK stated that the
British economy suffered its biggest decline in more
than 300 years in 2020 as it shrank by 9.9%.
➢ The fall was due to coronavirus pandemic that
closed shops and restaurants, devastated the travel
industry and curtailed manufacturing.
➢ The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons (TPNW) came into effect from January 22,
2021. The treaty was adopted by UNO in July 201.
➢ It is a legally binding treaty prohibiting the
signatories to develop, test, produce, manufacture,
otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear
weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
➢ South Korea signed a 48 trillion Won ($43 billion)
agreement to build the world’s largest offshore
wind farm near Sinan in its southwest with a
capacity of producing 8.2 GigaWatts.
➢ Saudi Arabia has allowed women to join the armed
forces. They can now be appointed as soldiers,
corporals, lance corporals, staff sergeants, and
sergeants.
JANUARY
➢ Joe Biden took oath on Jan 20 as the 46th President
of the United States of America. 78 year old Biden
has become the oldest US President in history.
➢ Kamala Harris was sworn in as 49 th Vice-President
of the country. Kamala is America’s first woman and
first person with south Asian roots to take the office
of the Vice President.
➢ On January 13, Donald Trump became the first
president in US history to be impeached twice.
➢ He was charged with inciting violent rampage by his
supporters in the Capitol Complex on Jan 9.
➢ However, he was acquitted by the Senate (Upper
House) as motion of impeachment could not muster
the required two third support.
➢ The Henley’s passport index retained Japan on top
of passport rankings among 199 passports of the
world while India secured 85th spot.
➢ It offers visa-free access to 191 destinations around
the world. It is followed by Singapore (190) and
Germany and S Korea (189).
➢ The Government of France organised the fourth
‘One Planet Summit’, through video conferencing on
January 11.
➢ The summit aimed at protecting the world’s
biodiversity with the theme “Let’s act together for
➢
nature!”
In the gravest assault on the symbol of American
democracy in more than 200 years, hundreds of
Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan 6
in a shocking bid to overturn his election defeat.
➢ Rioters crashed their way past metal security
barricades, broke windows and scaled walls to fight
their way into the parliament building.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
➢ Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest known
cave art—a life-sized picture of a wild pig that was
painted at least 45,500 years ago in Indonesia.
DECEMBER
➢ Britain became the first country in the world to
approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine
developed by the American pharmaceutical giant
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.
➢ Singapore’s tradition of communal dining at hawker
centres, open air food courts has been added to
UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
➢ Morocco has become the fourth Arab League
country to agree to normalise relations with Israel
in a deal brokered with US help.
➢ UNESCO has decided to launch an international
prize in the field of ‘creative economy’ in the name
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
✓ Starting November 2021, the $ 50 thousand award
will be given away once in two years for global
economic initiatives of the youth.
➢ Nepal and China jointly announced on Dec 8 that the
revised height of the world’s highest peak Mount
Everest was 8,848.86 meter (29,031.7 feet), about
86 cm more than the last measurement in 1954.
➢ In the Forbes list of the world’s 100 most powerful
women, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is at
number one, for the 10th year in a row.
➢ According to US Air Quality Index`s data released on
Dec 1, Pakistani city Lahore was once again found to
be the most polluted city in the world.
➢ As per the Global Terrorism Index 2020,
Afghanistan was the most impacted of the 163
countries, recording 5725 deaths in 1422 terror
incidents.
➢ Merriam-Webster, America’s most trusted online
dictionary announced “pandemic” as its 2020 word
of the year.
➢ Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘quarantine’ as
Word of the Year 2020.
➢ The first clean coal-based power plant of Arab
world- Hassyan is being developed in Saih Shuaib,
Dubai, UAE.
PERSONS IN NEWS
MARCH
Gautam Adani: Adani Group Chairman has achieved a
remarkable milestone amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as
he added the highest wealth- $16.2 billion so far in the
year 2021in the world to his fortune, as per the latest
Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
49
Jasmine Harrison: A 21-year-old British woman from
England became the youngest woman to row solo across
the Atlantic Ocean.
FEBRUARY
Dr. Kiran Bedi: Former IPS Officer was removed from
the post of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor by the
orders of the President of India.
JANUARY
Arya Rajendran: The 21-year-old college student has
been elected as the youngest Mayor in India, of
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Kerala.
DECEMBER
Roshni Nadar Malhotra: CEO of IT major HCL
Technologies topped the list of the richest women in the
country with a networth of Rs 54,850 crore.
Gitanjali Rao: 15-year-old Indian-American girl, has
been named by TIME magazine as the first-ever ‘Kid of
the Year' for her "astonishing work” using technology to
tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water
to opioid addiction and cyberbullying.
Parkash Singh Badal: Former Punjab Chief Minister
and Shiromani Akali Dal patron announced to return his
Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity with the farmers
protesting against the three farm laws.
Dr. Gaurav Sharma: Member of Parliament (MP) in
New Zealand created history by becoming the first
Indian-origin parliamentarian to take oath in Sanskrit
language on foreign land.
Kylie Jenner: American media personality, model and
businesswoman, was the highest-paid celebrity of 2020
as per the Forbes Highest-Paid Celebrity List, earning
$590 million in 2020.
TIME ‘Person of the year-2020’
US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect
Kamala Harris have been named by the prestigious
TIME magazine as '2020 Person of the Year'.
APPOINTMENTS
MARCH
Saurabh Garg: Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India.
Dr Ajay Mathur: Appointed as the Director General of
the International Solar Alliance, Gurugram, Haryana.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
MA Ganapathy: Senior IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre
appointed as the Director General of the National
Security Guard (NSG)
Kuldiep Singh: Senior IPS officer of West Bengal cadre
appointed as the Director General of the Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF)
Dr. G P Samanta: Appointed as the new Chief
Statistician of India by the Central Government for a
period of two years. He will be the head of the National
Statistical Organisation and Secretary of the National
Statistical Commission.
Vijay Sampla: A senior BJP leader appointed as the
new Chairman of the National Commission for
Scheduled Castes.
Tirath Singh Rawat: In Uttarakhand, Rawat was
sworn-in as the new chief minister on March 10.
Girish Chandra Murmu: Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) has been re-appointed as the
Chairman of the Panel of External Auditors of the United
Nations for the year 2021.
Matam Venkata Rao: Appointed as Managing Director
& CEO of Central Bank of India for a period of three
years by the Central government.
Denis Sassou Nguesso: Re-elected as the President of
Republic of Congo for the next five years. He has
already served as President for 36 years, making him
one of the longest serving Presidents in the world.
Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan: Sworn in as the sixth
President of Tanzania, becoming the first female leader
of the East African country.
Mark Rutte: Netherlands Prime Minister won the 2021
parliamentary elections for the fourth term in a row.
Mohamed Bazoum: Elected as the new President of
Niger, a land-locked country north of Nigeria, in Africa.
Irakli Garibashvili: Appointed as the new Prime
Minister of Georgia by the Parliament of Georgia.
FEBRUARY
S N Subrahmanyan: Appointed as the head of the
National Safety Council for a period of three years by the
Labour Ministry. He is an eminent engineer, currently
CEO and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro.
50
Dr. Ajay Mathur: Selected as the new Director General
of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Presently, he is
Director General of The Energy & Resources Institute.
Ajai Malhotra: Elected as the first Indian Chairperson
of the United Nations Advisory Committee of the Human
Rights Council. He is a senior diplomat and IFS officer of
1977 batch.
Mallikarjun Kharge: The Indian National Congress
named the party veteran as the Leader of Opposition in
the Rajya Sabha.
Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala: The former Finance Minister of
Nigeria and a former MD of the World Bank was
selected by the UN General Assembly as the next
Director General of the World Trade Organisation.
Mario Draghi: Sworn in as the new Prime Minister of
Italy.
Kaja Kallas: Leader of the Reform Party elected as the
first female President of Estonia, a small country in
central Europe, east of Baltic Sea.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Won a second five-year
term after winning the 2021 Portuguese Presidential
election with a landslide victory.
JANUARY
Subodh Kumar Jaiswal: 1985 batch IPS officer has
been appointed the Director General of Central
Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Suneet Sharma: Appointed as the new Railway Board
Chairman and CEO.
Yoweri Museveni: Ugandan President scored a decisive
election victory to win a record sixth term as the
President.
Sadyr Japarov: Former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan
elected as the new President of the country.
Faustin-ArchangeTouadera: Re-elected as the
President of Central African Republic.
Alexander Ellis: Appointed as the new British High
Commissioner to India.
DECEMBER
Utpal Kumar Singh: Appointed as Secretary-General of
Lok Sabha with effect from 1 December, by Lok Sabha
speaker Om Birla.
Vineet Agarwal: Elected as the new President of the
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
India (Assocham). He is the Managing Director of
logistics major Transport Corporation of India Limited.
Uday Shankar: Elected as the new president of FICCI
for the year 2020-21. He is currently the president of
The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Nana Akufo-Addo: Re-elected as the President of
Ghana, a country in West Africa.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah: Re-appointed as the
Prime Minister of Kuwait by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh
Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Roch Marc Christian Kabore: Re-elected as the
President of Burkina Faso, a small landlocked country in
western Africa.
Florin Citu: Elected as the new Prime Minister of
Romania, a country in South Eastern Europe.
AWARDS & HONOURS
MARCH
The 67th National Film Awards - 2019
Best Feature Film: Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
(Malayalam) by Priyadarshan
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment:
Maharishi (Telugu) by Vamshi Paidipally
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration:
Tajmahal (Marathi) by Niyaz Mujawar
Best feature film in Hindi: Chhichhore by Nitesh Tiwari
Best Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for Bahattar
Hoorain (Hindi) (72 Fairies)
Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut for Panga (Hindi) and
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (Hindi)
Best Actor: Manoj Bajpayee for Bhonsle (Hindi), and
Dhanush for Asuran (Tamil)
Most Film Friendly State: Sikkim
The Gandhi Peace Prize - 2019: Conferred on late
Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman in recognition of
his outstanding contributions for social, economic and
political transformation through non-violent and other
Gandhian methods.
The Gandhi Peace Prize - 2020: Conferred on late
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his life long
struggle to ensure the freedom, rights, aspiration and
emancipation of his people.
✓ Given by govt of India, the award carries a cash prize
of Rs. one crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite
traditional handicraft item.
Vyas Samman-2020: Well-known Hindi writer Prof.
Sharad Pagare has been selected for the 31st Vyas
Samman for his novel ‘Patliputra Ki Samragyi.’
CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment
Leadership Award: Conferred upon PM Narendra
Modi via video conferencing on March 5 at the
Cambridge Energy Research Associates Week
(CERAWeek) held at Houston, USA for showing
exemplary commitment of leadership for the securing
future of global energy and environment.
51
Film Archive Award-2021: Conferred upon megastar
Amitabh Bachchan for his dedication and contribution
to the preservation of the world’s film heritage.
U N’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Award: In a
first for India, a female forest officer from Odisha,
Sasmita Lenka has been felicitated with this award.
International Anti-corruption Champions Award:
Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist in the field of
Right to Information in India for over two decades, was
among the 12 individuals selected by the US
government from across the globe for their deep
dedication towards combating corruption.
Dadasaheb Phalke awards announced
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Awards 2021
were announced at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai on
Feb 20. Some top winners were as under:
Best Actor (Female) - Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak
Best Actor (Male) - Akshay Kumar, Laxmii
Best Film - Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
Best Director - Anurag Basu, Ludo
Best Web Series - Scam: 1992
(These awards are different from Dadasaheb Phalke
Lifetime Achievement Award which is presented by GOI )
Pritzker Architecture Prize-2021: Architecture’s
highest honour, awarded to Anne Lacaton and Jean-
Philippe Vassal, founders of Lacaton & Vassal, the
French duo renowned for their multiple sustainable
housing projects.
✓ Regarded as the Nobel of Architecture, the award
consists of $100,000 and a bronze medallion and is
granted by the Pritzker family of Chicago through
their Hyatt Foundation.
Grammy Awards declared for best in music
The 63rd annual Grammy Awards were presented at the
Los Angeles Convention Center on March 15, 2021. The
awards are known for recognising best in music (in 84
categories) in the world. Some of the top Grammys are:
Record of the Year: Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
Album of the Year: Folklore by Taylor Swift
Song of the Year: I Can't Breathe by H.E.R.
Best New Artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Best Pop Solo Performance: Watermelon Sugar by
Harry Styles
Best Pop Vocal Album: Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa
The 78th Golden Globe Awards ceremony took place
in a hybrid format on February 28.
Best Motion Picture – Drama: Nomadland by Chloé
Zhao
Best Director: Chloé Zhao for Nomadland
Best Actor - Male: Chadwick Boseman (posthumously)
for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Best Actor - Female: Andra Day for “The United States
vs. Billie Holiday”
Prize for Achievement in African Leadership-2020:
World’s largest leadership prize, worth $5 million
conferred upon Mahamadou Issoufou, the incumbent
President of Niger.
FEBRUARY
Manasa Varanasi, an engineer from Telangana,
emerged as the top winner of VLCC Femina Miss India
World 2020 on Feb 10.
✓ Manika Sheokand from Haryana was declared VLCC
Femina Miss Grand India 2020 and Manya Singh
from Uttar Pradesh was crowned VLCC Femina Miss
India 2020 – runner-up.
Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award: Given to
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
in recognition of his government’s “revolutionary
measures” in governance in the past two years.
Koozhangal wins Tiger award for the best film
The Tamil film “Koozhangal” won “Tiger” award for the
best film at the 50th edition of the Rotterdam
International Film Festival 2021 in Netherlands.
Koozhangal (meaning Pebbles) has been produced by
Nayanthara and directed by Vinod Raj PS.
Global Citizenship Ambassador: Indian spiritual
leader Sri Sri Ravishankar was honoured by a
prominent American university, Northeastern
University Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service,
Boston, USA in recognition of his pioneering work as
peacemaker, humanitarian, spiritual teacher and global
interfaith leader.
PADMA AWARDS DECLARED
The Government announced the Padma Awards, 119 in
total, on the eve of 72nd Republic Day.
Seven persons were selected for Padma Vibhushan.
They include former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
veteran sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo from Puri, Odisha,
Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan from Uttar
Pradesh, B M Hegde, renowned cardiologist and ex-vice
chancellor, Manipal University, Karnataka and B.B. Lal,
acclaimed Archaeologist. Eminent Singer late S.P.
Balasubramaniam from Tamil Nadu and late N.S.
Kapany, renowned physicist from Moga, Punjab will be
awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
Ten persons will get Padma Bhushan and 102 persons
will get Padma Shri.
MahaVir Chakra: The second highest war time military
honour was conferred posthumously upon Colonel B
Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar
Regiment, who lost his life during the Galwan Valley
clash last year.
52
Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar:
Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development
Society and Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bhandari, renowned
expert of landslides management, both won the award
for their excellent work in Disaster Management.
Golden Peacock award for the best film:
Danish World War II drama “Into the Darkness” directed
by Anders Refn, was declared the best film at the 51 st
edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
in Goa.
JANUARY
Golden Peacock award for the best film: Won by
Danish film “Into the Darkness” directed by Anders Refn
at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of
India (IFFI) in Goa.
National Florence Nightingale Award: Won by Dr
Shailla Cannie. It is the highest national distinction
awarded to nurses or nursing aides.
Eminent Engineer Award-2020: Conferred upon V.K.
Yadav, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board by the
Institution of Engineering and Technology, London for
his outstanding contribution towards modernization
and reforms in Indian Railways.
DRDO’s Scientist of the Year Award: Won by senior
scientist Hemant Kumar Pandey for his contribution in
developing several herbal medicines, including the
popular drug Lukoskin for treatment of Leucoderma.
SKOCH Challenger Award: Conferred upon Tribal
Affairs Minister Arjun Munda for outstanding
performance in e-Governance.
Canada Sahitya Gaurav: Given by the Hindi Writers’
Guild, Canada to Union Education Minister Ramesh
Pokhriyal Nishank for his rich contribution to literature.
2021 Michael and Sheila Held Prize: Nikhil
Srivastava, a young Indian mathematician, won the
prestigious prize along with two others for solving long-
standing questions on the Kadison-Singer problem and
on Ramanujan graphs.
DECEMBER
Global Teacher Prize 2020: The one-million-dollar
prize was won by Ranjitsinh Disale, 32, a primary school
teacher from Paritewadi village in Maharashtra for his
efforts to promote girls’ education using QR codes.
The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians:
Awarded to Dr. Carolina Araujo, Mathematician from the
Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. (First non Indian women
mathematician to get this award)
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
✓ The Prize is given every year to mathematicians less
than 45 years of age who have conducted
outstanding research in a developing country.
✓ Given by the government’s Department of Science
and Technology in the memory of Srinivasa
Ramanujan, a genius in pure mathematics.
ASSOCHAM Enterprise of the Century Award:
Presented to Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the
TATA group to mark the contribution of his business
group in India’s progress.
Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020: Won by
the Indian journalist-author Raj Kamal Jha for his novel,
The City and The Sea.
Delhi Crime, the web series on Netflix won the Best
Drama Series award at the 48th International Emmy
Awards 2020.
International King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New
Delhi, won the prestigious award from the United
Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for
bringing issues to light about significance of soil
wellbeing among all partners.
OBITUARY
MARCH
K C Chakrabarty: Former deputy governor of Reserve
Bank passed away following a heart attack on March 26
at his home in Mumbai. He was 68.
Anil Dharker: Noted journalist and author died in
Mumbai on March 26. He was 74. He was the founder
director of the Mumbai International Literary Festival,
held in November every year.
Laxman Pai: Renowned Indian artist and painter
passed away at his residence in Goa on March 14. He
was 95. He was a recipient of several awards including
the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Nehru
Award and Lalit Kala Akademi Award.
FEBRUARY
Justice (Retd) M Rama Jois: The former Governor of
Bihar and Jharkhand and eminent jurist, passed away on
February 16 in Bengaluru due to old age-related
ailments. He was 89 years old.
JANUARY
Ustad Mustafa Khan: Renowned Indian classical
musician of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana breathed his
last at his Mumbai residence on Jan 17. He was 89. He
taught music to likes of AR Rahman, Shaan, Hariharan,
53
Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Alisha Chinoy and
many others.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, Padma
Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Vibhushan in 2018.
Dr. V Shanta: The world-renowned oncologist passed
away after brief illness in Chennai. She was 94. Her
medical life of over 60 years was dedicated to cancer
care. She was the Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Centre,
Chennai. Her contribution to Oncology earned her the
Magsaysay award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and
Padma Vibhushan awards.
Narendra Chanchal: Popular bhajan singer from
Amritsar passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi.
He was 80. He will always be remembered for his
numerous iconic bhajans devoted to Goddess Durga
(Sheranwali Mata).
Madhavsinh Solanki: A senior Congress leader who
held the chief minister’s post four times in Gujarat and
later Union minister twice, passed away in Gandhinagar.
He was 93 years old.
Buta Singh: Veteran Congress leader and former Union
home minister passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Jan
2.
Pierre Cardin: French fashion king who made his name
by selling designer clothes to the masses, died aged 98.
Cardin was the first designer to sell clothes collections
in department stores in the late 1950s.
DECEMBER
Motilal Vora: Congress veteran, a long-time confidante
of party Chief Sonia Gandhi, passed away a day after his
93rd birthday. He was a six term MLA and a five term
MP and twice Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Roddam Narasimha: Eminent aerospace scientist from
Karnataka died in Bengaluru on Dec 14. He was 87. He
was honoured with Padma Vibhushanin 2013.
Vidyavachaspati Bannanje Govindacharya:
Renowned Sanskrit scholar, a propagator of the Madhva
ideology and a great orator, died in Udupi, Karnataka
due to age related illness. He was 85.
Astad Deboo:
Contemporary Indian dancer, renowned for marrying
Kathak and Kathakali into a unique form, died in
Mumbai on Dec 10. He was 73.
Mahashay Dharampal Gulati: India’s spice king and a
noted philanthropist, owner of MDH (Mahashian Di
Hatti) spices, familiar to all those who watched him in
his company’s ads over the years, died in New Delhi on
Dec. 3. He was 97.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Faqir Chand Kohli: Known as Father of Indian IT
Industry, Kohli passed away due to a heart attack on
November 26 at his residence in Mumbai. He was 96.
PLACES IN NEWS
MARCH
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: This Railway Station of
Central Railway is the first railway station in
Maharashtra to be awarded with Gold certification as
per CII’s Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) ratings.
El Salvador became the first country in Central America
to be certified malaria-free by the World Health
Organization.
FEBRUARY
Bhimbetka: The three fossils of the world’s earliest
known living animal- the 550 million years old
Dickinsonia- were discovered by the researchers in the
Bhimbetka rock shelters near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Chauri Chaura: Small town in district Gorakhpur, Uttar
Pradesh was in news as the state government launched
the yearlong Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations here
on Feb 4.
(On Feb 4, 1922, a large group of protesters
participating in the non-cooperation movement, clashed
with police resulting in death of 3 civilians and lynching
of 22 policemen. Hurt by this, Gandhi ji decided to halt
the movement).
Texas: In the United States, millions of people in Texas
state suffered in extreme cold as they were forced to
spend winter days with no electricity as a unusual
severe winter storm named Uri struck the south-eastern
part of the country.
JANUARY
Nubra Valley: India’s first ever ice climbing festival
was celebrated in Nubra valley in Leh, Ladakh.
Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kullu: Declared best
sanctuary in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation
Report of 146 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in
the country.
Zanskar: India’s first ever Winter Sports Festival was
held under the Khelo India initiative at Zanskar in
district Kargil of Ladakh.
Sulawesi Island: In Indonesia a powerful earthquake
rocked Sulawesi island, killing at least 92 people, with
more feared dead as rescuers searched for survivors.
54
 DECEMBER
Tso Kar Wetland: To promote conservation of
biodiversity, India has added Tso Kar wetland complex
to the list of Ramsar Sites. This wetland is located at
more than 4,500 metres above sea level in the
Changthang region of Ladakh.
Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad: It has become the
first zoo in the country to receive the ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management Standards Certification from the
Accreditation Services for Certification Bodies (ASCB),
UK.
Nivar: Severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall early
on Dec 3 at Marakkanam in Villupuram district, in
Chennaicaused considerable damage to crops and fields,
besides leaving many areas inundated.
SPORTS WORLD
MARCH
India’s Singhraj won the gold medal in the 2021 Para
Shooting World Cup at Al Ain in the UAE.
Divyansh Singh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan won
the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at
the The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
World Cup held in Delhi. Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and
Ganemat Sekhon won the gold in the skeet mixed team
event.
Achanta Sharath Kamal became the first Indian Table
Tennis player to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Tamil Nadu’s CA Bhavani Devi became the first ever
Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Boxer Manish Kaushik clinched gold at the Boxam
International Tournament in Castellon, Spain. The team
won overall 10 medals in the tournament.
Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal on Feb 28 in the
women's 53-kg category at XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian
Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament in Kyiv,
Ukraine.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat won
gold in the Matteo Pellicone World Ranking Series event
in Rome. The victories by both the wrestlers pushed
their rankings to number one in the world.
Virat Kohli became the first-ever batsman to score
3,000 runs in T-20 Internationals.
Mithali Raj became the first player in the world to
complete 7,000 runs in women’s ODI cricket.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Mithali Raj, veteran batswoman became the first Indian
woman cricketer and second internationally to complete
10,000 runs across all formats.
Chess player Koneru Humpy from Andhra Pradesh
won the “BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year”
(ISWOTY) award for 2020, following a public vote.
21st National Sqay Championship: Ladakh Sqay
Team won eight medals and won an Outstanding
Performance Award at the 21st National Sqay
Championship held at Jaipur in Rajasthan.
✓ Sqay is the traditional martial art of Kashmir in
which players use a curved single-edged sword paired
with a shield.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Team Mumbai led by Captain
Prithvi Shaw delivered a crushing defeat to Uttar
Pradesh in the finals played in Delhi. The tournament is
the national cricket event played in ODI format.
Khelo India Winter National Games: Jammu and
Kashmir topped the medals tally at the event held at
famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir's
Baramulla district.
Mary Kom, six times world champion, was appointed as
the chairperson of the International Boxing
Association's (AIBA) champions and veterans
committee at Lausanne, Switzerland.
Dushyant Chautala, Deputy CM of Haryana, re-elected
as the President of Table Tennis Federation of India for
a four-year term.
Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to hit 100 million
followers on social networking platform Instagram on
March 1, 2021.
World’s largest cricket stadium
President Ram Nath Kovind formally inaugurated the
newly constructed world’s largest Cricket Stadium at
Motera in Ahmedabad on Feb 24. The new stadium
located in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is
named Narendra Modi Stadium.
The stadium has the capacity to seat 1.32,000 spectators.
Spread over 63 acres, the stadium has 11 pitches in the
square, besides possessing a unique sub-soil drainage
system that helps in draining the wet ground in 30
minutes.
INTERNATIONAL
Kieron Pollard: West Indies ODI and T20I skipper
became the third batsman in the history of international
cricket to hit six 6s in an over on March 3, 2021. Pollard
achieved the feat in West Indies' first T20 match against
Sri Lanka in Osbourn, Antigua.
55
All England Badminton Championships: World’s
oldest badminton tournament was held at Birmingham,
England.
Men’s singles title: won by Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia
Women’s singles title: won by Japan's Nozomi Okuhara.
Thomas Bach was re-elected as the President of the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) for an additional
four-year term till 2025 on March 10.
FEBRUARY
Sathiyan Gnanasekaran became Table Tennis Men’s
national champion by defeating nine-time national
champion Sharath Kamal at the 82nd National Table
Tennis Championships in Panchkula, Haryana.
Manika Batra won her second women’s national title at
the 82nd Senior National Table Tennis Championships
held at Panchkula, Haryana.
Rishabh Pant: The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman won
the inaugural ICC Player of the Month award 2021.
Arundhati Choudhary and Naorem B. Chanu won gold
medals at the 30th Adriatic Pearl Boxing Tournament in
Budva, Montenegro (a tiny country in southern Europe).
Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy: Won by team Tamil
Nadu after defeating team Baroda in the final at the
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Jan 31.
10th National Ice Hockey Championship: The Indo-
Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) won the trophy after a win
over Ladakh in the finals played in Gulmarg, J&K.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has become the
first player in the 143-year history of Test cricket to
take 200 wickets against left-handed batsmen.
He achieved the feat during the second day of India’s
second Test against England at the MA Chidambaram
Stadium, Chennai.
Ajay Singh re-elected as President of the Boxing
Federation of India (BFI). He is sports manager and
chairman of Spicejet Airlines.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the
second Khelo India University Games will be hosted by
Karnataka in Bengaluru.
INTERNATIONAL
AUSTRALIAN OPEN GRAND SLAM held in Melbourne
Park, Australia
Men’s title: Defending Champion Novak Djokovic
(Serbia) won his ninth Australian Open title, beating
Daniil Medvedev of Russia.
Women’s title: Japan's Naomi Osaka won her fourth
Grand Slam title by beating American Jennifer Brady
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Badminton World Tour Finals: World No. 1 Tai Tzu
Ying (China) defeated Olympian Carolina Marin (Spain)
in the finals at Bangkok.
Men’s title was won by Denmark’s Anders Antonsen
beating former world champion Viktor Axelsen, also
from Denmark.
JANUARY
Anshu Malik became the first wrestler of the country to
win silver at the Individual Wrestling World Cup in
Belgrade, Serbia.
India Wins Series Against Australia
India created history by defeating Australia by three
wickets in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba in
Brisbane and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
INTERNATIONAL
The Yonex Thailand Open, 2021: Year’s first
international Badminton tournament held in Bangkok,
Thailand.
Men’s Singles title: Victor Axelsen, Denmark; Women’s
Singles Title: Carolina Marin, Spain
Sir Lewis Hamilton: Seven-time Formula One world
champion and winner of all-time record 95 wins in F1
races, was awarded knighthood in the United Kingdom
New Year Honours list, adding title of ‘Sir’ to his name.
Player of the Century Award: Won by Cristiano
Ronaldo of Portugal at the Globe Soccer (Football)
Awards. He plays for the Club Juventus.
Claire Polosak, Australian cricket coach scripted
history on Jan 7 by becoming the first female match
official in the 144 year old history of men's Test
matches. She acted as the fourth umpire in the pink test
between India and Australia played in Sydney.
ICC Awards of the Decade declared
The prestigious cricket awards were declared in Dubai
on Dec 28:
Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the
Decade: Virat Kohli
Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC Female Cricketer of
the Decade: Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Test/ODI/T-20 Male Cricketer of the Decade: Steve
Smith/ Virat Kohli/Rashid Khan
ODI/T-20 Female Cricketer of the Decade: Ellyse
Perry/Ellyse Perry
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade: M S Dhoni
DECEMBER
Yash Vardhan, the 17-year-old shooter from Rajasthan
won gold in the 10m air rifle at the 6th edition of the
International Online Shooting Championship (IOSC).
56
Amit Panghal, ace boxer from Rohtak, Haryana won a
gold medal in the 52 kg weight category at the World
Cup in Cologne, Germany. Manisha Moun and Simranjit
Kaur also won gold in the women’s 57 kg and 60 kg
category, respectively.
Anshu Malik, 19 year old female wrestler from Haryana
won silver in the 57 kg category at the World Cup in
Belgrade, Serbia.
Jehan Daruvala, became the first driver from the
country to win a Formula 2 race. He won the Sakhir
sprint race in Bahrain. 22 yearoldDaruvala hails from
Mumbai and races for team Carlin of UK.
FICCI Sportspersons of the Year: Men: Wrestler
Bajrang Punia Women: Shooter Elavenil Valarivan
The Sports Ministryapproved the inclusion of four
indigenous games to be a part of Khelo India Youth
Games 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana.
✓ The games include Gatka (martial art of Punjab),
Kalaripayattu (martial art of Kerala), Thang-Ta
(martial art of Manipur) and Mallakhamb,
traditional pole based gymnastics, very popular in
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Government has decided to include Yoga henceforth
as a competitive sport and part of sports disciplines in
all national and university games.
India has decided to contribute $ 1 million to the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure an atmosphere
of clean sport globally.
Hockey World Cup 2023: The International Hockey
Federation (FIH) had announced that the 2023 FIH
Men’s Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Odisha, for a
second consecutive time.
Chetan Sharma: Former Indian pacer was appointed
chairman of the senior national selection panel by the
BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee.
Parthiv Patel, one of the youngest to have played Test
cricket for India at the age of 17, announced his
retirement on Dec 9 from all forms of the game, three
months short of his 36th birthday.
INTERNATIONAL
Sergio Perez became the first Mexican victor (since
1970) in F1 race winning the Sakhir Grand Prix at
Bahrain for the team Racing Point.
Max Verstappen (Team Red Bull – Netherlands) won
the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020, held in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion from
Britain won Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020
for team Mercedes at Bahrain International Circuit in
Sakhir, Bahrain.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie smashed the half marathon
(21 km) world record by 29 seconds on Dec 7, becoming
the first person to finish a half marathon in under 58
minutes.
✓ He won the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain in 57
minutes and 32 second, breaking the previous
record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey
Kamworor in September 2019.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020: Won by
Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton of Britain.
Best FIFA Men’s Player 2020: Won by Robert
Lewandowski of Poland, forward player of Bayern
Munich club.
Best FIFA Women’s Player 2020: Won by Lucy Bronze
of England, full-back player of Manchester City club.
World Athletics Awards 2020
World Athlete of the Year – Male: Mondo Duplantis of
Sweden, for breaking the world record in the pole vault
twice, topping 6.17Mt and 6.18Mt on back-to-back
weekends in February, 2020. Just 21, he is the youngest
athlete to win this title.
World Athlete of the Year – Female: Yulimar Rojas
(25) of Venezuela, for breaking the world indoor record
in triple jump by 7cm in Madrid.
Greg Barclay, head of the New Zealand Cricket team,
elected as the new independent chairman of the
International Cricket Council (ICC), Dubai.
Asian Games 2030 & 2034: The Olympic Council of
Asia announced that the 2030 Asian Games will be
hosted by Doha, Qatar, while the 2034 edition will be
hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
✓ It may be noted that the 2022 Asian Games are to be
hosted by Hongzhou, China and 2026 edition by
Nagoya, Japan.
Russia was banned on Dec 17 from using its name, flag
and anthem at the next Olympics or any world
championships for the next two years by the Court of
Arbitration for Sport, Lausanne (Switzerland).
✓ The ban was imposed after allegations of state-
backed doping and cover-ups emerged against
Russia after the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
57
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 58
 Model Test For
General / Economy /
Banking Awareness
MAY GK TEST - 01 7. In the recent rankings released by the Union
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which
state was ranked at number one in
1. What is the title of the recent novel written by
implementation of Smart City Projects?
noted novelist Jhumpa Lahiri?
a. Telangana b. Rajasthan
a. Whereabouts b. The Namesake
c. Haryana d. Jharkhand
c. Interpreter of Maladies
e. Sikkim
d. The Lowland e. Brotherly Love
8. China successfully sent a new satellite Haiyang-
2. Which country has the most travel-friendly
2D (HY-2D) into orbit on May 19 for what
passport as per the latest Henley Passport
purpose?
Index released on April 15?
a. For 6G tele-communications
a. Singapore b. Switzerland
b. For weather monitoring
c. Japan d. Sweden
c. For military surveillance
e. Norway
d. For ocean-monitoring
3. NASA's Mars helicopter named ____________ made
e. For GPS network
history with a successful flight on the Red
9. What is the formal name of the widely
Planet.
prevalent deadly infection Black Fungus?
a. Curiosity b. Ingenuity
a. Mycoriamiseptic b. Mucormycosis
c. Inspire d. Voyager
c. Mycorolysis d. Mucosis
e. Perseverance
e. Mycophytolosis
4. An Asset Reconstruction Company buys the
10. Indian Navy decommissioned its first destroyer
_________ from banks and financial institutions at
warship on May 21 at the Visakhapatnam
a mutually agreed value:
Dockyard, putting an end to a glorious era of 41
a. Fixed assets b. Property
years of outstanding services. What was its
c. Bad loans d. Old assets
name?
e. Scrap items
a. INS Trishul b. INS Dogra
5) MCLR is the minimum interest rate, below
c. INS Rajput d. INS Khanderi
which a bank is not permitted to lend. What is
e. INS Mysore
the full form of MCLR?
11. Maharana Pratap, heroic warrior of Rajasthan,
a. Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate
was the king of which area?
b. Marginal Cost of Finance based Lending Rate
a. Jodhpur b. Chittor
c. Maximum Cost based Lending Rate
c. Mewar d. Haldighati
d. Minimum Cost of Funds based Lending Rate
e. Udaipur
e. Marginal Capital and Lending Ratio
12) Which one of the following is NOT a tool of
6) The Sudirman Cup is associated with which
Fiscal Policy?
sport?
a. Taxation b. Pubic Expenditure
a. Hockey b. Tennis
c. Interest Rate d. Pubic Debt
c. Badminton d. Basketball
e. None of these
e. Chess

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 59

13. As per recent RBI directions, cash withdrawal c. Standard Life Insurance
of up to Rs. ________per transaction now can be d. BNP Paribas
made from online wallets like Amazon pay, Ola e. Metlife Insurance
money, Mobikwik, Phone pe, etc. by using ATMs 22) Micro Credit means:
or PoS machines: 1. Loans up to Rs. 1 lakh to people in unorganized
a. 1,000 b. 2, 000 sector
c. 3,000 d. 4,000 2. Loans to Self-Help Groups
e. 5,000 3. Loan for micro-nutrients
14. Moctar Ouane has been re-appointed as the a. Only 1 b. Only 2
Prime Minister of Mali. It is located in which c. Only 1 and 2 d. All 1, 2 and 3
part of Africa? e. None of these
a. Northern b. Southern 23. Ramesh Powar has been appointed as the head
c. Western d. Eastern coach of which national women’s team
e. Central a. Hockey b. Cricket
15. Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar became the first Indian c. Kabaddi d. Tennis
origin fighter to win the ONE Heavyweight e. Football
World Title at the top-level MMA (Mixed 24. Who secured the top spot-on Fortune
Martial Arts) Championship. He hails from magazine's list of the world's 50 greatest
which country? leaders, released on May 14?
a. USA b. Canada a. Jacinda Ardern b. Robert Mueller
c. Australia d. New Zealand c. Jack Ma d. Satya Nadella
e. Britain e. Greta Thunberg
16. Penpa Tsering has been elected as the new 25. Sir David Attenborough, the 95-year-old
__________ of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, renowned English broadcaster and natural
based in Dharamshala: historian has been named as the ___________ of the
a. Chairman b. Governor UN Climate Change Conference (COP26):
c. President d. Prime Minister a. Chairperson b. Patron d Chief
e. Premier c. People’s Advocate d. Brand Ambassador
17. Jagannath Pahadia, the first Dalit Chief Minister e. Chief Delegate
of ______________ succumbed to death due to 26. Which militant group launched repeated rocket
COVID-19 at the age of 89 on May 19: attacks in the second week of May on adjoining
a. Madhya Pradesh b. Gujarat areas of Israel?
c. Rajasthan d. Odisha a. Hezbollah b. Al Qaeda
e. Haryana c. ISIS d. Hamas
18. What was the theme of this year’s World e. Fatah
Metrology Day celebrated on May 20? 27. Coastal areas of the six states were devastated
a. Metrology to push trade by the Super Cyclone Tauktae. Which of the
b. Measures: Tool to kill Corona following was NOT one of them?
c. Metrology for Health a. Kerala b. Gujarat
d. Measurement for Health c. Karnataka d. Maharashtra
e. Better Measurements: Better World e. Tamil Nadu
19. Which state emerged at the top in establishing 28. Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, a Congress stalwart
Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the passed away on May 15. He represented which
Ayushman Bharat Program? Lok Sabha constituency six times?
a. Kerala b. Karnataka a. Ludhiana b. Patiala
c. Tamil Nadu d. Telangana c. Amritsar d. Jallandhar
e. Assam e. Gurdaspur
20. Which of the following is NOT a part of the 29. Drugs Controller General of India is very much
famous “Char Dham Yatra” of Uttarakhand? in news these days as it permits the usage of
a. Kedarnath b. Rudraprayag drugs and vaccines in India, including those for
c. Gangotri d. Badrinath COVID-19. Where are its headquarters?
e. Yamunotri a. Hyderabad b. Lucknow
21) The ‘SBI Life Insurance’ is a joint venture life c. Pune d. Bengaluru
insurance company between State Bank of e. New Delhi
India and _______. 30) Some of the activities undertaken by the
a. New York Life Insurance Central Banks are
b. Prudential Life Insurance 1) Lending money for infrastructure

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 60

 2) Creation of currency chests at various places 38) Which of the following statement regarding
3) Maintaining electronic funds transfer systems money market is true?
a. Only 1 and 2 b. Only 1 and 3 i) It provides investment avenues of short-term
c. Only 2 and 3 d. 1, 2, & 3
tenor up to one year
e. None of these
31) Which of the following broadly describes Fiscal ii) Money market is classified into overnight
Deficit? market, notice money market and term money
a. Total income less Government borrowing market
b. Total expenditure less total receipts iii) It caters to investors with a long-term
c. Total payments less capital receipts investment horizon
d. Total taxes raised by Govt. Select the right option:
e. None of these
a. Only a and b b. Only a and c
32. 'KUSUM' (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan
Mahabhiyan) covers which of the following? c. Only a d. Only b
a. Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized e. All of these
Ground Mounted Grid Connected Solar Power 39) The term bridge loan refers to
Plants a. Loan given to a bridge company
b. Installation of 17.50 lakh Stand-alone Solar b. Loan given for construction of a bridge
Pumps c. Short-term loan given before main loan
c. Solarisation of 10 lakh Grid Connected
d. Loan given to bridge the gap in term loan
Agriculture Pumps and 50 Thousand Tube-
wells/Lift Irrigation Projects e. None of these
d. Only a and b 40. The Maharishi Organisation Worldwide
e. All of the above selected which Indian union minister for the
33. Which vitamin is provided by sunlight to the International Invincible Gold Medal?
body? a. Dr. Harsh Vardhan b. Dr, S. Jaishankar
a. Vitamin A b. Vitamin B c. Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
c. Vitamin C d. Vitamin D
d. Nitin Gadkari e. Nirmala Sitharaman
e. Vitamin E
34) What is the total number of seats in the Lok 41. Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan, passed
away on May 16. He was an eminent professor
Sabha?
of which subject?
a. 545 b. 542 a. Physics b. Mathematics
c. 554 d. 553 c. Medicine d. Astronomy
e. 543 e. Nuclear Science
35. Foot and mouth disease is found in which of the 42. Iga Swiatek won the Women's Singles title at
following? the Italian Open Tennis Tournament. She hails
a. Cats b. Dogs from which country?
c. Cattle d. Poultry a. Spain b. Serbia
c. France d. Italy
e. Birds
e. Poland
36. The indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine 43. Andrea Meza, winner of Miss Universe 2020
‘Covaxin’ is being manufactured by Bharat title, represents which country?
Biotech at which place? a. France b. Chile
a. Visakhapatnam b. Mysore c. Mexico d. Croatia
c. Bengaluru d. Hyderabad e. Hungary
e. Pune 44) RBI has directed banks to pay interest in
savings bank accounts at ___________ or shorter
37) The prestigious Palme d'Or award for the best
intervals:
film is given at which international film a. Weekly b. Fortnightly
festival? c. Monthly d. Quarterly
a. Venice International Film Festival e. Half Yearly
b. Cannes Film Festival 45) Indian Banking Association has issued advisory
c. Toronto International Film Festival requesting banks to waive off the processing,
d. Berlin Film Festival documentation, inspection and all other service
e. Sundance Film Festival charges for Kisan Credit Card and crop loans up
to _________ lakh rupees.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 61
 a. 15 lakh rupees b. 10 lakh rupees MAY GK TEST - 02
c. 5 lakh rupees d. 6 lakh rupees
e. 3 lakh rupees
1. The Reserve Bank constituted a six-member
46. Sunderlal Bahuguna, pioneer of world famous
panel headed by __________________ to carry out a
“Chipko Movement” in 1974, died on May 21.
comprehensive review of the working of Asset
He hailed from which state?
Reconstruction Companies (ARCs):
a. Himachal Pradesh b. Odisha
a. Ms. Revathy Iyer b. Sachin Chaturvedi
c. Jharkhand d. Chhattisgarh
c. Debashish Panda d. Sudarshan Sen
e. Uttarakhand
e. Tarun Bajaj
47. The National Bamboo Mission recently
2. India celebrates April 21 as the Civil Services
launched an MIS (Management Information
Day. Who referred civil servants as the 'steel
Systems) based reporting platform for which
frame of India'?
item?
a. Dada Bhai Naoroji
a. Match sticks b. Agarbatti sticks
b. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
c. Handicrafts d. Furniture
c. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
e. Mats
d. Mahatma Gandhi
48. Y Nuklu Phom, noted conservationist from
e. Jawahar Lal Nehru
_____________ is one of the seven winners of the
3. Which country retained its top spot for the fifth
prestigious Whitley Award:
year in running in the World Press Freedom
a. Manipur b. Nagaland
Index 2021?
c. Meghalaya d. Tripura
a. Denmark b. France
e. Mizoram
c. Peru d. Japan
49. Rivali Park of Mumbai is the first stalled
e. Norway
housing project completed with funding by
4. Chhau dance is a traditional folk dance of which
SWAMIH. What does the letter ‘S’ denote in the
state?
acronym SWAMIH?
a. Kerala b. Na galand
a. Social b. Society
c. Sikkim d. Jharkhand
c. Special d. Sample
e. Telangana
e. Sanction
5. Which country hosted a two-day Leaders
50. May 15 is observed as the International Family
Climate Summit of world leaders in virtual
Day. What is this year’s theme for the Day?
mode on Earth Day, April 22 to address the
a. Family: Let’s live together
global climate crisis?
b. Living Together - Best Option
a. France b. Belgium
c. Save Family: Save Society
c. Japan d. USA
d. Families and New Technologies
e. Canada
e. Family: Hope for Survival
6. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan who passed away
ANSWER KEY | MAY GK TEST | 1 recently was a renowned _________________ :
a. Islamic scholar b. Spiritual leader
Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.
c. Author d. Only a
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 A e. All a, b and c
6 C 7 D 8 D 9 B 10 C
7. The Panchayati Raj Act came into existence in
11 C 12 C 13 B 14 C 15 B
1993 by which amendment of the Indian
16 C 17 C 18 D 19 B 20 B
Constitution?
21 D 22 C 23 B 24 A 25 C
a. 43rd b. 57th
26 D 27 E 28 C 29 E 30 C
c. 73rd d. 88th
31 B 32 E 33 D 34 A 35 C
e. 96th
36 D 37 B 38 A 39 C 40 C
8. Which country topped the medal tally along
41 B 42 E 43 C 44 D 45 E
with Russia in the World Youth Boxing
46 E 47 B 48 B 49 C 50 D
Championships held in Kielce, Poland?

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 62

 a. Bulgaria b. Poland c. Attracting more FDI in the country
c. Iran d. India d. More flow of credit to desired sectors
e. Ukraine e. None of these
9. Rekha M Menon, Chairperson of IT firm 17. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
Accenture India, has been appointed as offers a free medical insurance cover of ________
chairperson of which apex business body? lakh rupees per family per year:
a. ASSOCHAM b. FICCI a. One b. Two
c. NASSCOM d. CII c. Five d. Seven
e. CAIT e. Ten
10) Which of the following is NOT correct regarding 18. Which picture won the Oscar Award for the
National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)? Best Picture?
a. Under this Scheme, individuals, firms and a. The Father b. Mank
corporates can electronically transfer funds c. Minari d. Nomadland
b. One can transfer a maximum of Rs. one crore via e. Sound of Metal
NEFT 19. The Reserve Bank has capped the tenure of
c. NEFT operates in half hourly batches MDs and CEOs of commercial banks to a
d. It takes advantage of the core banking solutions maximum of ______ years:
in banks a. 5 b. 7
e. It is available 24X7 all the 365 days c. 10 d. 12
11) Which of the following assets will NOT be e. 15
considered as a non-performing asset (NPA)? 20. China has named its first-ever Mars rover as
a. Standard assets b. Doubtful assets __________after an ancient fire god.
c. Loss assets d. Sub-standard assets a. Yan Wang b. Nezha
e. None of the above c. Zhurong d. Canshen
12. What was the name of the Indian and French e. Fuxing
Navy bilateral exercise held in the Arabian Sea 21. The submarine ‘KRI Nanggala’ went missing on
from April 25 to 27? 21 April, 2021, killing all its crew of 53
a. Shastra b. Varun members. It belonged to which country?
c. Marinex d. Tarun a. North Korea b. Malaysia
e. Meghdoot c. Thailand d. Indonesia
13. Pair of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das e. South Korea
represent India’s top slot in which sports? 22. Which digital financial services provider
a. Table tennis b. Rowing launched on April 26 India’s first video-based
c. Fencing d. Archery wealth community?
e. Athletics a. InstaKash b. MobiKwik
14. M Narasimham, the former Governor of c. Paytm d. PhonPe
Reserve Bank of India, was regarded as the e. PayU
“Father of ________________” in India: 23. Gudi Padwa is a famous traditional festival of
a. Commercial Banking b. Banking Reforms which state?
c. Financial Sector d. Money Market a. Gujarat b. Rajasthan
e. Rural Banking c. Maharashtra d. Karnataka
15. A Living Mountain is a recent novel authored e. Madhya Pradesh
by: 24. Some leading not-for -profit environmental and
a. Sutapa Basu b. Aravind Adiga social organisations have come together to
c. Amitav Ghosh d. Jenny Lawson form the ‘Blue Nature Alliance’ for what
e. Jhumpa Lahiri purpose?
16) An increase in CRR by the Reserve Bank of India a. To protect freshwater lakes
results in: b. To work for conservation of glaciers
a. Decrease in debt of the government c. For cleansing of rivers
b. Reduction in liquidity in the economy d. to protect the ocean’s environment
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 63
 e. To protect sea beaches from pollution 33. Mark Selby, who won the World Snooker
25. India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas Championship for the fourth time, hails from
successfully tested most advanced 5th which country?
generation air to air ____________ missile: a. Spain b. Belgium
a. Trident b. Fierex c. Britain d. Venezuela
c. Python d. Trishul e. Brazil
e. Prahaar 34) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is an
26. Which country topped the recently released international financial institution that aims to
Chandler Good Government Index, 2021? support the building of infrastructure in the
a. Sweden b. Finland Asia-Pacific region. Where are the
c. Denmark d. Singapore headquarters of AIIB?
e. Switzerland a. New Delhi, India b. Beijing, China
27. T V Somanathan has been appointed as the new c. Manila, Philippines d. Tokyo, Japan
____________ Secretary by the Appointments e. Shanghai, China
Committee of the Cabinet.: 35) Which of the following taxes is NOT levied by
a. Revenue b. Defence the Union Government?
c. Home d. Finance a. Customs b. Corporate Tax
e. Expenditure c. Professional Tax d. Income Tax
28. Amitabh Chaudhry has been re-appointed as e. Surcharge on Income Tax
the Managing Director and Chief Executive 36. Who among the following is NOT a current
Officer of which bank? Deputy Governor of RBI?
a. PNB b. Axis Bank a. Michael D Patra b. M K Jain
c. Yes Bank d. HDFC Bank c. Rajeshwar Rao d. B P Kanungo
e. Bandhan Bank e. T Rabi Sankar
29. International Labour Day on May 1 pays 37. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has
tributes to the workers’ riot that took place in decided to institute a “ ___________ Lifetime
1886 in Haymarket in ________, USA: Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema”
a. Michigan b. Detroit to be given at the International Film Festival of
c. Los Angeles d. Chicago India (IFFI) every year starting from this year:
e. New York a. Raj Kapoor b. V Shantaram
30. RBI joined the Central Banks and Supervisors c. Dada Saheb Phalke d. Satyajit Ray
Network for Greening the Financial System e. Bimal Roy
(NGFS) as a Member. This network is based at 38) Which of the following is/are considered a
which place? policy rate(s) in the hands of the RBI?
a. Paris b. Rome 1. Repo rate 2. SLR
c. Geneva d. Montreal 3. Base Rate
e. Ottawa a. Only 1 b. Only 2
31. The Indian Navy launched “Operation __________ - c. Only 3 d. Only 1 and 2
II” to help in faster transportation of medical e. All 1, 2 and 3
oxygen and other requirements from other 39) Banks in India are categorized as Public Sector
countries and Private Sector Banks. Which of the
a. Samudra Setu b. Madad following types of banks are called Public
c. Aarogya d. Maitree Sector Banks?
e. Vande Bharat a. Those in which Government of India has a
32. Which country has approved the sale of six P- controlling stake i.e. 51% or more.
81 surveillance aircrafts to India? b. Those which are giving services to poor sections
a. France b. Russia of society like those living below poverty line.
c. USA d. Britain c. Those which are governed and regulated by the
e. Israel Reserve Bank of India only.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 64

 d. Only those banks are called public sector whose redevelopment of Shri Badrinath Dham in
shares are traded in stock markets. Uttarakhand. Which one of the following is NOT
e. Those in which government owns some part of an oil & gas PSU?
capital of the bank. a. IOC b. HPCL
40) When a cheque is crossed, it means that it c. BPCL d. BHEL
cannot be: e. GAIL
a. Paid in cash when presented for payment 47. RT-PCR test is used to identify Corona cases.
b. The payment can be made through a bank Here the letter T stands for what?
account only a. Transmission b. Traceable
c. The cheque can be paid only to the person whose c. Transcription d. Transfer
name appears on the cheque e. Transition
d. Both a and b e. All a, b & c 48. The meeting of the foreign ministers of the
41) The Public Ltd companies can raise capital Group of Seven countries - G-7 was held in
through public issues. These issues are known ________ on May 4-5:
as: a. Ottawa b. Brussels
i. Initial Public Offering (IPO) c. Tokyo d. London
ii. Follow-on Public Offering (FPO) e. Chicago
iii. New Shares Offer 49. India and many other countries celebrate
iv. First Public Offering Happy Mother’s Day on the ___________ Sunday of
a. Only i b. Only i & ii May:
c. Only ii & iii d. Only iv a. First b. Second
e. All of these c. Third d. Fourth
42) The ‘Nifty 50’ or ‘Nifty’ is benchmark stock e. Last
market index of ________. 50) Sometimes the public limited companies having
a. NASDAQ of New York good financial returns offer their shares free of
b. National Stock Exchange of India cost to their existing share holders as reward
c. Bombay Stock Exchange of India for their loyalty. Such shares are known as –
d. Shanghai Stock Exchange of China a. Free shares b. Preference shares
e. Taiwan Stock Exchange of Taipei c. Equity shares d. Rights shares
43) Which sector of Indian economy contributes e. Bonus shares
maximum to the Gross Domestic Product?
ANSWER KEY | MAY GK TEST | 2
a. Primary Sector b. Secondary Sector
c. Tertiary Sector d. Public Sector Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.
e. Private sector 1 D 2 B 3 E 4 D 5 D
44. Who has been sworn in as the new Chief 6 E 7 C 8 D 9 C 10 B
Minister of Tamil Nadu? 11 A 12 B 13 D 14 B 15 C
a. Thambidurai M 16 B 17 C 18 D 19 E 20 C
b. Edappadi K Palaniswami 21 D 22 C 23 C 24 D 25 C
c. V K Sasikala d. Udhyanidhi Stalin 26 B 27 D 28 B 29 D 30 A
e. M K Stalin 31 A 32 C 33 C 34 B 35 C
45. Mount Sinabung, a most active volcano erupted 36 D 37 D 38 D 39 A 40 D
once again on May 7, spewing a thick column of 41 B 42 B 43 C 44 E 45 B
volcanic ash 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles) up into 46 D 47 C 48 D 49 B 50 E
the sky. It is in which country?
a. Malaysia b. Indonesia
c. Philippines d. Laos
e. Vietnam
46. The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India have signed a
MoU with the Shri Badrinath Utthan Charitable
Trust on May 06 for construction and
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 65
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 66
SBI CLERK – PRELIMS
(MODEL TEST PAPER)
REASONING ABILITY opposite to the centre) what is the position
of A with respect to E?
(Note: Facing the same direction means, if one
Directions - These questions consists of a question
is facing the centre then the other also faces the
and two statements numbered I and II given below
centre and vice versa. Facing the opposite
it. You have to decide whether the data given in the
directions means if one is facing the centre then
statements are sufficient to answer the questions.
the other faces outside and vice versa)
Read both the statements and choose the most
I. C stands second to the right of E. E faces
appropriate option.
outside. C is an immediate neighbour of
both D and B. F stands second to the left of
1) How many people are standing between L
D. D faces the same direction as E.
and K in the line of 19 people (Note: All are
II. Only two people stand between B and E.
standing in a straight line facing north)?
Both B and E face outside. E is an immediate
I. Y stands to the extreme left end of the line.
neighbour of both D and F. B is an
Only five people stand between Y and K.
immediate neighbour of both C and A. A is
Only six people stand between K and R. Only
not an immediate neighbour of D.
four people stand between R and L.
a) The data in both statements I and II together
II. J stands exactly in the centre of the line.
are necessary to answer the question
Only two people stand between I and J. Only
b) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to
five people stand between I and L. I stands
answer the question, while the data in
to the left of L. K stands third to the left of J.
statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the
a) The data given in both statements I and II
question
together are not sufficient to answer the
c) The data given in both statements I and II
question
together are not sufficient to answer the
b) The data in both statements I and II together
question
are necessary to answer the question
d) The data either in statement I alone or
c) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to
statement II alone is sufficient to answer the
answer the question, while the data in
question
statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the
e) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to
question
answer the question, while the data in
d) The data either in statement I alone or
statement II alone is not sufficient to answer
statement II alone is sufficient to answer the
the question
question
3) How is X related N?
e) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to
I. X is mother of J. T is married to Z. N is the
answer the question while the data in
daughter of T. Z is the brother of J.
statement II alone is not sufficient to answer
II. X is married to Y. Y is the father of J. J is
the question
married to M and Z is the uncle of N.
2) Among six people – A, B, C, D, E and F
standing around a circle some facing the
centre while some facing outside (i.e.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 67
 a) The data given in both statements I and II
together are not sufficient to answer the
question
b) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to
answer the question while the data in
statement II alone is not sufficient to answer
the question
c) The data either in statement I alone or
statement II alone are sufficient to answer the
question
d) The data in both statements I and II together
are necessary to answer the question
e) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to
answer the question, while the data in
statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the
question
4) Among mobiles R, S, T, U, V and W which is
costlier?
I. T is costlier than only two mobiles. S is
costlier than R but not the costliest. V is costlier
than only W.
II. R is cheaper than only two mobiles. V is
costlier than W but cheaper than T. T is cheaper
than R. S is cheaper than U.
a) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to
answer the question, while the data in
statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the
question
b) The data given in both statements I and II
together are not sufficient to answer the
question
c) The data either in statement I alone or
statement II alone is sufficient to answer the
question
d) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to
answer the question while the data in
statement II alone is not sufficient to answer
the question
e) The data in both statements I and II together
are necessary to answer the question
5) In a six story building (consisting of floors
numbered 1 to 6, wherein the topmost floor
is numbered 6 and the ground floor is
numbered 1) each of the six friends namely
M, N, O, P, Q and R lives on a different floor
(Not necessarily in the same order). Who
amongst them lives on the lower most floor?
I. M lives on floor numbered five. Only two
people live between M and N. Q lives
immediately above P.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
II. P lives on floor numbered three. Only two
people live between P and O. N lives
immediately above R. N lives on even
numbered floor.
a) The data given in both statements I and II
together are not sufficient to answer the
question
b) The data in statement II alone is sufficient to
answer the question, while the data in
statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the
question
c) The data in statement I alone is sufficient to
answer the question while the data in
statement II alone is not sufficient to answer
the question
d) The data either in statement I alone or
statement II alone are sufficient to answer the
question
e) The data in both statements I and II together
are necessary to answer the question
Directions – In these questions there are given four
statements followed by five conclusions, one of
which definitely does not logically follow (or is not a
possibility or occurrence) from the given
statements. That conclusion is your answer.
(Note: You have to take the four given statements to be
true even if they seem to be at variance from the given
statements disregarding commonly known facts.)
6) Statements:
No toy is a doll.
All guns are toys.
All houses are dolls.
All dolls are baskets.
Conclusions:
a) All baskets are toys
b) No gun is a house
c) All guns being baskets is a possibility
d) All houses are baskets
e) No doll is a gun
7) Statements:
Some logics are reasons.
All reasons are arguments.
All arguments are fights.
No fight is a discussion.
Conclusions:
a) All discussions being logics is a possibility
b) No discussion is an argument
c) All logics being discussion is a possibility
68
 d) All reasons are fights The one who likes Cars has a presentation on Biology. M
e) No reason is a discussion has a presentation on Physics and does not like up. The
8) Statements: one who likes Up does not have a presentation on
All references are mails. chemistry. O likes Lion King. R does not have a
All mentions are references. presentation on History and does not like Up. P does not
All comments are mentions. like Up.
No mail is a declaration.
Conclusions: 11) On which of the following subjects P has a
a) No reference is a declaration presentation?
b) All comments are mails. a) Chemistry b) English
c) No mention is a declaration c) Biology
d) All declarations being comments is a d) Other than those given as options
possibility e) Geography
e) Atleast some mails are mentions 12) Four of the following five form a group as
9) Statements: per the given arrangement. Which of the
Some moments are flashes. following does not belong to that group?
All moments are seconds. a) R – Cars b) Q – Shrek
All flashes are instances. c) N – Up d) M – Frozen
No instance is an hour. e) P – Rio
Conclusions: 13) Which of the following combinations is
a) All hours being second is a possibility definitely correct?
b) No second is a flash a) N – Chemistry b) R – History
c) No hour is a flash c) L – English
d) Atleast some moments are instances d) All the give combinations are definitely
e) Atleast some seconds are instances correct
10) Statements: e) P – Geography
All circles are spheres. 14) Which of the following combinations of
All spheres are rectangles. movie and subject is definitely correct with
No rectangle is a pyramid. respect to N?
No pyramid is a triangle. a) Up – Chemistry
Conclusions: b) Other than those given as options
a) Atleast some circles are pyramids c) Shrek – Geography d) Up – Geography
b) All triangles being circles is a possibility e) Finding Nemo – History
c) All rectangles being triangles is a possibility 15) Four of the following five form a group as
d) Atleast some rectangles are circles per the given arrangement. Which of the
e) No pyramid is a sphere following does not belong to that group?
a) Biology – cars
Directions – Study the following information and b) Chemistry – Lion King
answer the question. c) Civics - Shrek d) English – Frozen
Seven friends namely L, M, N, O, P, Q and R like e) Geography – Up
the different animated movies namely, Finding Nemo, 16) Which of the following movies does Q like?
Rio, Frozen, Up, Lion King, Shrek and Cars but not a) Shrek
necessarily in the same order. Each friend also has a b) Other than those given as options
presentation on topics of different subjects namely c) Finding Nemo d) Lion King
Civics, History, English, Geography, Chemistry, Physics e) Cars
and Biology but not necessarily in the same order.
Q has a presentation on Civics and likes neither Directions – In the given question assuming the
Frozen nor Up. The one who likes Finding Nemo has a given statements to be true, find which of the given
presentation on History. L likes Rio and has a four conclusion I, II, III and IV is true and give your
presentation neither on Geography nor on Chemistry. answer accordingly.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 69

17) Statements: 22) Statements:
S>M≥D>H≤R≤T<W P≥Q≤C≤B=M>D
Conclusions: Conclusions:
I. S > H II. W > H I. M > Q II. D ≤ P
III. R < W IV. M > T III. M = Q IV. C > D
a) Only I, II and III are true a) None is true
b) Only II is true b) Only IV is true
c) Only I and II are true c) Only either I or II are true
d) Only I and either II or IV are true d) Only II and II are true
e) All I, II, III and IV are true e) Only either I or III is true
18) Statements:
M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A Directions – Study the following information
Conclusions: carefully and answer the given question.
I. Y < N II. M > N A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a
III. N = Y IV. M > A square table in such a way that four of them sit at four
a) Only either II or III is true corners of the square while four sit in the middle of
b) Only IV and either I or III are true each of the four sides. The ones who sit at the four
c) Only IV is true corners face the centre of the table while those who sit
d) Only II is true in the middle of the sides face outside. Each one of them
e) Only III is true likes a different subject viz. Mathematics, Hindi, English,
19) Statements: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Geography.
J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M (None of the information given is necessarily in the
Conclusions: same order).
I. M < J II. J > L C sits third to the left of the one who likes
III. D > L IV. E < M Geography. The one who likes Geography faces outside.
a) Only II is true Only two people sit between C and H. The one who likes
b) Only I and II are true Mathematics sits to immediate right of H.
c) None is true The one who likes Chemistry sits second to
d) Only II and IV are true right of G. G is neither an immediate neighbour of H nor
e) Only I and II are true C. G does not like the Geography.
20) Statements: Only one person sit between A and the one who
Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T likes Chemistry.
Conclusions: D sits to immediate left of the one who likes
I. Y > P II. T < F Physics. G does not like Physics.
III. O > T IV. P < U E likes History. E is not an immediate
a) Only I is true b) Only II is true neighbour of A.
c) Only III is true d) None is true The one who likes Hindi is an immediate
e) Only I and IV are true neighbour of E.
21) Statements: The one who likes Biology is an immediate
M≥N≤Y≤R<U=Z≥E neighbour of F.
Conclusions:
I. M > R II. Z ≤ R 23) Who among the following sits diagonally
III. R > E IV. Z > Y opposite the one who likes Mathematics?
a) Only I and II are true a) The one who likes Hindi
b) Only IV is true b) D
c) None is true c) A
d) Only II and IV are true d) The one who likes English
e) Only II and III are true e) The one who likes Biology

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 70

24) Who among the following represent the c) 15 m d) 5 m
immediate neighbours of the one who likes e) 9 m
Chemistry?
a) B, F b) C, E Directions – Study the following information to
c) B, E d) D, F answer the given question.
e) F, H A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a straight
25) Who amongst the following sits exactly line equidistant from each other (but not necessarily in
between H and B? the same order). Some of them are facing south while
a) C some are facing north.
b) The one who likes Hindi (Note: Facing the same direction means. If one
c) The one who likes English is facing north then the other also faces north and vice
d) G e) A versa. Facing the opposite directions means. If one is
26) Which of the following is true regarding B? facing North then the other faces south and vice versa).
a) B is one of the immediate neighbours of D H faces north. C sits at one of the extreme ends
b) The one who likes Geography is an of the line. A sits third to the left of C. D is not an
immediate neighbour of B immediate neighbour of C. G sits third to the right of A.
c) B sits second to left of H B sits to the immediate right of G. B does not sit at any
d) B likes History of the extreme ends of the line. Only one person sits
e) B is an immediate neighbour of the one who between F and D. G sits second to the left of F. E sits
likes Mathematics second to the right of B. Both the immediate neighbours
27) What is the position of the one who likes of G face the same direction. Both the immediate
Physics with respect to G? neighbours of A face the opposite directions. E faces the
a) Second to the left b) Third to the right same direction as B.
c) Fourth to the left d) Second to the right 32) Who among the following sits second to the
e) Third to the left right of F?
28) Which of the following subjects does D like? a) H b) D
a) Biology b) Mathematics c) C d) G
c) Hindi d) Chemistry e) A
e) English 33) Which of the following is true with respect
29) Who amongst the following likes to the given information?
Geography? a) G sits at one of the extreme ends of line
a) B b) F b) B sits exactly between A and F
c) H d) A c) B sits third to the right of E
e) D d) A faces north
e) A sits second to the left of B
Directions – Read the given information carefully 34) How many persons in the given
and answer the given question. arrangement facing North?
Point N is 8 m to the west of Point O. Point P is a) Four b) One
4 m to the south of Point O. Point Q is 4 m to the east of c) Three d) Two
point P. Point R is 6 m to the north of Point Q. Point S is e) More than four
8 m to the west of Point R. Point T is 2 m to the south of 35) Four of the following five are alike in a
Point S. certain way and so form a group. Which of
30) How far and in which direction is Point T the following does not belong to the group?
from Point N? a) B, A b) D, C
a) 4 m to the east b) 8 m to the west c) E, B d) A, E
c) 4 m to the west d) 6 m to the east e) G, F
e) 6 m to the south
31) If Point T is 4 m to the north of Point E, then
what is the distance between E and Q?
a) 11 m b) 8 m

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 71

 QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE 40) Total number of foreign tourists who visited
all the three places on Tuesday together is
what per cent of the total number of foreign
Directions (Q. 36-40): Study the following graph
tourists who visited Wagha Border on
carefully to answer the questions –
Monday and Wednesday together?
Number of foreign tourists who visited three
a) 168 b) 124
different places in five different days
c) 112 d) 224
e) 212
41) The present ages of Vishal and Shekhar are
in the ratio of 14 : 17 respectively. Six years
from now, their ages will be in the ratio of
17 : 20 respectively. What is Shekhar’s
present age?
a) 17 years b) 51 years
c) 34 years d) 28 years
e) None of these

Directions (Q. 42 – 46): Study the following table

carefully to answer the questions that follow-
Number of Units Manufactured (in thousands) by
Six different Companies over the Years
36) What is the average number of foreign
tourists who visited Wagha Border on all
the days together?
a) 184 b) 172
c) 186 d) 174
e) None of these
37) On which day was the difference between
the number of foreign tourists who visited
Taj Mahal and Golden Temple, second
42) What is the respective ratio of total number
highest?
of units manufactured by company A and B
a) Monday b) Tuesday
together in the year 2009 to those
c) Wednesday d) Thursday
manufactured by companies C and D
e) Friday
together in the same year?
38) What is the respective ratio between the
a) 312 : 329 b) 317 : 311
number of foreign tourists who visited Taj
c) 329 : 312 d) 311 : 317
Mahal on Thursday and the number of
e) None of these
foreign tourists who visited Golden Temple
43) The number of units manufactured by
on Friday?
company E in the year 2005 is
a) 14 : 9 b) 8 : 13
approximately what per cent of the total
c) 13 : 8 d) 13 : 7
number of units manufactured by it in all
e) None of these
the years together?
39) On which day was the total number of
a) 31 b) 27
foreign tourists who visited all the three
c) 7 d) 15
places together second lowest?
e) 23
a) Monday b) Tuesday
c) Wednesday d) Thursday
44) What is the average number of units
e) Friday
manufactured by company D in the years
2004 and 2007 together?

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 72

 a) 14650 b) 15750 Directions (Q. 51–55): What should come in place of
c) 13750 d) 16470 the question mark (?) in the following questions?
e) None of these
45) What is the total number of units 51) {(52)2 + (45)2} ÷ ? = 8
manufactured by Company C over all the a) 611.345 b) 487.225
years together? c) 591.125 d) 372.425
a) 783 b) 7830 e) None of these
c) 783000 d) 78.3 52) 14.2% of 5500 + 15.6% of ? = 1795
e) None of these a) 6500 b) 6200
46) What is the per cent increase in the number c) 5600 d) 5800
of units manufactured by company F in the e) None of these
year 2008 from the previous year? 53) (5696 ÷ 4 - ?) x 5 = 1020
(rounded off to two digits after decimal) a) 1180 b) 1200
a) 3.73 b) 3.62 c) 1240 d) 1220
c) 4.35 d) 4.16 e) None of these
e) None of these 54) 118963 – 107958 – 9589 = ?
47) Population of a village increases every year a) 1420 b) 1404
by 15%. If its population in January 2015 c) 1416 d) 1412
was 2,60,000, what will be its population in e) None of these
January 2016? 12.5  2.4 + 5.5  0.8
a) 2,99,000 b) 2,86,000 55) =8
?
c) 3,43,850 d) 3,38,000
a) 3.4 b) 4.8
e) None of these
c) 3.8 d) 4.3
48) Shelly could get equal number of Rs. 25 per
e) None of these
piece, Rs. 40 piece and Rs. 65 per piece
bangles. She spends a total of Rs. 1,560 for
Direction (Q. 56- 60): In each of the following a
all the bangles. How many of each type did
number series is given. Below it a number is given
she buy?
followed by (a) (b) (c) (d) & (e). You have to
a) 12 b) 14
complete the series starting with the number given
c) 16
according to the sequence for the given series?
d) Cannot be determined
56)
e) None of these
5 12 60 340
49) What is the approximate total surface area
7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
of a right circular cone of height 14 cm and
Which of the following number will come in
base radius 7 cm?
place of (d)?
a) 510 b) 511
a) 172 b) 5044
c) 490 d) 505
c) 1012 d) 20164
e) 499
e) 28
50) Two stations A and B are 110 km apart on a
57)
straight line. One train starts from A at 7 am
and travels towards B at 20 kmph. Another 11 15 38 126
train starts from B at 8 am and travels 7 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
towards A at a speed of 25 kmkph. At what Which of the following number will come in
time will they meet? place of (c)?
a) 9 am b) 11 am a) 102 b) 30
c) 11:30 am d) 10 am c) 2140 d) 80
e) 12:30 pm e) 424
58)
2 3 8 27
5 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 73

 Which of the following number will come in 64) I. x2 – (16)2 = (23)2 – 56
place of (e)? II. y1/3- 55 + 376 = (18)2
a) 184 b) 6 a) x > y b) x  y
c) 925 d) 45 c) x < y
e) 14 d) relationship between x and y cannot be
59) determined
12 28 64 140 e) x  y
37 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 12 8
Which of the following number will come in 65) I. + = ( x)
( x) ( x)
place of (e)?
a) 1412 b) 164 (18) 5 / 2
II. y − =0
2
c) 696 d) 78
y
e) 340
60) a) x > y b) x  y
2 3 9 40.5 c) x < y
4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) d) relationship between x and y cannot be
Which of the following number will come in determined
place of (b)? e) x  y
a) 486 b) 81 66) I. (36) x + (64) = 0
c) 3645 d) 18
e) 6 II. (81) y + (4) 2 = 0
61) The difference between a two-digit number a) x > y
and the number obtained by interchanging b) x  y
the digits is 36. What is the difference c) x < y
between the sum and the difference of the d) relationship between x and y cannot be
digits of the number if the ratio between the determined
digits of the number is 1 : 2? e) x  y
a) 10 b) 9 25 9
c) 11 d) 8 67) I. + = 17 ( x)
e) 7
( x) ( x)
62) In a lottery, there are 15 boys and 10 girls. ( y) 5 ( y) 3
Three students are selected at random. II. + =
What is the probability that 1 girl and 2
3 6 ( y)
boys are selected? a) x > y b) x  y
31 21 c) x < y
a) b) d) relationship between x and y cannot be
47 46
determined
22 31 e) x  y
c) d)
47 46 68) Three taps A, B and C can fill a tank in 12, 15
21 and 20 hours respectively. If A is open all
e) the time and B and C are open for one hour
47
each alternately, in what time will the tank
63) I. x2 – 10x + 21 = 0
be full?
II. y2 – 16y + 63 = 0
a) 9 hours b) 7 hours
a) x > y b) x  y
c) 8 hours d) 10 hours
c) x < y
e) 11 hours
d) relationship between x and y cannot be
69) A and B started a business in partnership
determined
investing Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000
e) x  y
respectively. After six months, C joined them
with Rs. 20,000. What will be B’s share in
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 74
 total profit of Rs. 25,000 earned at the end This illustrates what is wrong with the World
of 2 years from the starting of the business? Bank. The World Bank has often forgotten the most
a) Rs. 8,000 b) Rs. 8,500 basic lessons of development, preferring to lecture the
c) Rs. 9,000 d) Rs. 7,500 poor and force them to privatise basic infrastructure,
e) Rs. 9,500 which is untenable, rather than to help the poor to
70) A boatman goes 2 km against the current of invest in infrastructure and other crucial sector. The
the stream in 1 hour and goes 1 km along Bank’s failure began in the early 1980s when under the
the current in 10 minutes. How long will it
ideological sway of then American President and British
take to go 5 km in stationary water?
a) 80 minutes b) 75 minutes Prime Minister it tried to get Africa and other poor
c) 70 minutes d) 72 minutes regions to cut back or close down government
e) 84 minutes investments and services. For 25 years, the bank tried
to get governments out of agriculture, leaving
impoverished peasants to fend for themselves. The
ENGLISH LANGUAGE result has been a disaster in Africa, with farm
productivity stagnant for decades. The bank also
Directions (71-80): Read the following passage
pushed for privatization of national health systems,
carefully and the questions given below it. Certain
water utilities, and road and power networks, and has
words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate
grossly underfinanced these critical sectors. This
them while answering some of the questions.
extreme free-market ideology, also called “structural
China’s rising power is based on its remarkable
adjustment”, went against the practical lessons of
economic success. Shanghai’s overall economy is
development successes in China and the rest or Asia.
currently growing at around 13% per year, thus
Practical development strategy recognises that public
doubling in size every five or six years. Everywhere
investments – in agriculture, health education, and
there are start-ups, innovations, and young
infrastructure – are necessary complements to private
entrepreneurs hungry for profits. In a series of high-
investments. The World Bank has instead wrongly seen
level meetings between Chinese and African officials,
such vital public investments as an enemy of private
the advice that the African leaders received from the
sector development. Whenever the bank’s ideology
Chinese was sound, and more practical than they
failed, it has blamed the poor for corruption,
typically get from the World Bank. Chinese officials
mismanagement, or lack of initiative. Instead of focusing
stress the crucial role of public investments, especially
its attention on helping the poorest countries to
in agriculture and infrastructure, to lay the basis for
improve their infrastructure, there has been a crusade
private sector-led growth. In a hungry and poor rural
against corruption. The good news is that African
economy, as China was in the 1970s and as most of
governments are getting the message on how to spur
Africa is today, a key starting point is to raise farm
economic growth and are getting crucial help from
productivity. Farms need the benefits of fertilizer,
China and other partners that are less wedded to
irrigation and high-yield seeds, all of which were a core
extreme free-market ideology than the World Bank.
part of China’s economical take off. Two other equally
They have declared their intention to invest in
critical investments are also needed: roads and
infrastructure, agriculture modernization, public health,
electricity, without which there cannot be a modern
and education. It is clear the Bank can regain its
economy. Farmers might be able to increase their
relevance only if it becomes practical once again, by
output, but it wont be able to reach the cities, and the
returning its focus to financing public investments in
cities won’t be able to provide the country-side with
priority sectors. If that happens, the Bank can still do
inputs. The government has taken pains to ensure that
justice to the bold vision of a world of shared prosperity
the electricity grids and transportation networks reach
that prompted its creation after World War II.
every village in China. China is prepared to help Africa
in substantial ways in agriculture, roads, power, health
71) The author’s main objective in writing the
and education. And that is not an empty boast. Chinese
passage is to
leaders are prepared to share new high-yield rice
a) make a case for the closure of the World
varieties, with their African counterparts and, all over
Bank since it promotes US interests over those
Africa, China is financing and, constructing basic
of other countries.
infrastructure.
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 75
 b) illustrate how China can play a more
concrete role in Africa.
c) criticize the World Bank for playing a crucial
role in China’s development but neglecting
Africa.
d) recommend that China adopt the guidelines
of the World Bank to sustain growth.
e) use China’s success as an example of the
changes required in World Bank ideology.
72) What advice have African leaders received
from their Chinese counterparts?
a) Focus primarily on innovation, start-ups and
urban development.
b) To ensure all citizens benefit from economic
development, investment, not the private
sector.
c) Improve agricultural output through
government investment to stimulate economic
growth.
a) None b) Only (C)
c) Only (B) d) Both (A) & (B)
e) None of these
73) What effect has the World Bank policy had
on African nations?
a) The African government has restricted
private sector investment in agriculture.
b) Africa has focused more on health and
education rather than on agriculture.
c) The agriculture sector in these countries is
not as productive as it could be.
d) US and Britain have volunteered substantial
aid to Africa as Africa has complied with World
Bank ideology.
e) None of these
74) What is the difference in the Chinese and
World Bank approach to development?
a) Unlike the World Bank, China favours the
public sector and restricts private sector
participation in crucial sectors.
b) Contrary to China’s strategy of dependence
on the private sector, the World Bank
pressurises governments to take the lead in
investing in agriculture.
c) While the World Bank has focused on
agriculture, China’s priority has been rooting
out corruption so that investment in
infrastructure is utilised appropriately.
d) The Chinese government has retained
control over essential services like transport
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
while the World Bank favours private sector
involvement.
e) None of these
75) What is China’s view on the development of
the transportation and power networks?
a) Development in these sectors is not as
important as investing in agriculture.
b) Resources need to be diverted from the rural
to the urban areas to meet the needs of the
growing population in cities.
c) The government should be solely responsible
for developing these services so all citizens
have access to them.
d) It is more important to develop and maintain
transportation networks and power grids in
rural areas.
e) None of these
76) Which of the following cannot be said about
structural adjustment?
a) It is the World Bank’s free market ideology
adapted by Asian countries.
b) Under this strategy public sector investment
in priority sectors is discouraged.
c) As a development strategy it has failed in
Africa.
d) With this strategy there has been a lack of
adequate investment in critical sectors.
e) It is an ideology advocated by the World
Bank which needs to be modified to facilitate
economic growth.
77) Which of the following is NOT true in the
context of the passage?
a) China’s involvement in Africa so far has been
restricted to advising its leaders.
b) The World Bank was created by the US and
Britain for the sole purpose of furthering their
interest.
c) China’s economy was once in the same state
as many African countries are today.
a) None b) Only (B)
c) Only (A) d) Both (A) & (B)
e) None of these
78) What has/have been the outcome/s of
Shanghai’s economy prospering?
a) The World Bank has changed its
development strategy.
b) China’s importance globally has been
enhanced.
c) Rural areas are being neglected to promote
development of cities.
76
 a) Only (B) b) Both (A) & (B) e) attractive
c) Both (B) & (C) d) All (A), (B), & (C) 85) empty
e) None of these a) full b) objective
c) meaningful d) occupied
79) Why is the author optimistic about Africa’s
e) intelligent
future?
a) The World Bank has committed itself to Directions (86-89): Read each sentence to find out
invest huge sums in Africa’s development. whether there is any error in it. The error, if any,
b) Africa has decided to adopt a structural will be in one part off the sentence. The number of
adjustment ideology which has benefited many that part is the answer. If there is no error, the
nations. answer is (e). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).
c) Africa has committed itself to adopting
86) It is not worthy(a)/the company’s
China’s strategy for economic growth. reputation(b/to compromise on quality(c)/ for
d) China has urged the World Bank to waive the the sake of profit. (d) No error (e)
interest on its loans to Africa.
e) None of these 87) The company which has (a) /won the
80) What advice has the author given the World government contract (b)/ also plans to invest
Bank? (c)/ with the power sector. (d)/ No error (e)
a) Support China’s involvement in developing
88) Implementing these measures (a) / will help
Africa the government (b)/ to save more of (c)/ 400
b) Reduce the influence of the US and Britain in crores each year. (d)/No error (e)
its functioning
c) Adopt a more practical ideology of structural 89) You have failed to produce (a)/ no evidence to
adjustment support (b)/ the charge that he (c)/ is
responsible for the error. (d) /No error (e)
d) Change its ideology to one encouraging both
public and private sector investment in basic Directions (90-93): Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c)
infrastructure and (d) given below should replace the phrase given
e) Focus on fighting corruption rather than in bold in the following sentences to make the
interfering in the governance of developing sentence grammatically correct? If the sentence is
countries correct as it is and there is no correction required,
mark (e), i.e. ‘No correction required’ as the answer.
Directions (81-83): Choose the word which is most
90) The minimum eligibility age shall be less to
nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in
sixty years to allow more senior citizens to
bold as used in the passage.
avail of the benefits of the scheme,
a) should be lowered b) should be lower
81) sway
c) being lesser d) must be lessen
a) fluctuate b) influence
e) No correction required
c) govern d) dependence
91) The latest study by Nasscom indicates possibly
e) unsteady
short of five lakh qualified engineers in the IT
82) core
industry.
a) centre b) heart
a) the possible shortage off
c) adequate d) intermediate
b) possibly short by
e) essential
c) possibility of shortage
83) stress
d) a possible shortage of
a) highlight b) strain
e) No correction required
c) taxing d) tension
92) China has to be prepared to meet many age-
e) emphasis
related social and financial challenges in the
coming years.
Directions (84-85): Choose the word which is most
a) is been preparing
OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as
b) was prepared
used in the passage.
c) have been prepared
84) untenable
d) has preparations
a) viable b) unsound
e) No correction required
c) consistent d) superior

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 77

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 78
93) It is necessary to ascertain that we can do to 98) Which of the following should be the
attract investment to the manufacturing sector. SECOND sentence in the paragraph?
a) how we can do b) what we can do a) B b) C
c) more can be done d) that has been done c) D d) E e) F
e) No correction required 99) Which of the following should be the FIRST
sentence in the paragraph?
Directions (94-95): In each of the following a) A b) B
sentences there are two blank spaces. Below each c) C d) D e) E
five pairs of words have been denoted by numbers 100) Which of the following should be the THIRD
(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). Find out which pair of words sentence in the paragraph?
can be filled up in the blanks in this sentence in the a) A b) B
same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully c) C d) D e) E
complete.
ANSWER KEY
94) The Chairman in his speech stated the _____
in company profits was _____ to team Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A. Q. A.
building. 1 B 2 E 3 B 4 A 5 B
a) incline, owing b) rise, liable 6 A 7 C 8 D 9 B 10 A
c) slump, accountable d) surge, due 11 D 12 E 13 C 14 D 15 D
e) plunge, response 16 A 17 A 18 B 19 D 20 D
95) The main _____ of Healthcare reforms is _____
21 B 22 E 23 A 24 C 25 E
medical care to every citizen.
a) purpose, available b) cause, providing 26 E 27 E 28 A 29 B 30 A
c) challenge, accessing 31 B 32 B 33 E 34 A 35 B
d) assurance, qualified 36 B 37 E 38 D 39 A 40 E
e) focus, extending 41 C 42 C 43 D 44 B 45 E
Directions (96-100): Rearrange the following six 46 A 47 A 48 A 49 E 50 D
sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in the proper 51 C 52 A 53 D 54 C 55 D
sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then 56 B 57 A 58 C 59 A 60 D
answer the questions given below them. 61 D 62 B 63 E 64 E 65 A
(A) In fact, today, social entrepreneurship is no different
66 A 67 C 68 B 69 D 70 B
from starting a profit-motivated company.
(B) The major challenge they face is employee selection 71 E 72 E 73 C 74 E 75 E
and retention. 76 A 77 D 78 E 79 C 80 D
(C) For decades social development in India meant 81 B 82 E 83 A 84 A 85 C
charity. 86 A 87 D 88 C 89 B 90 A
(D) However, the challenges social organizations
91 D 92 E 83 B 94 D 95 E
experience are tougher.
(E) This is because while volunteering for social work is 96 B 97 2 98 2 99 C 100 A
not new, attracting talented people and tapping their
potential at lower costs is difficult. SOLUTIONS
(F) In recent years, however, economic changes have
brought business sense and professionalism to the 1) b): From statement I and II, we get
sector.

96) Which of the following should be the FIFTH

sentence in the paragraph?
a) A b) B
c) C d) D 2) e): Hint – From Statement I
e) E

97) Which of the following should be the SIXTH

(LAST) sentence in the paragraph?
a) B b) C
c) D d) E
e) F ‘A’ is second to the left of ‘E’ and fourth right of E.

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 79

From Statement II 7) c):

Or
Two possibilities come. So answer is ‘A’ is second to
right of E or A is second to the left of E.
Hence we cannot decide the result.
3) b): From Statement I
8) d):

Hence ‘X’ is grandmother of N.

From Statement II

9) b):

Can’t say about ‘N’.

4) a): By combining both the statements mobile is
costliest.
U>S>R>T>V>W
5) b): From statement II ‘R’ lives on the lower most
floor.
10) a):

6) a):

11 – 16):
Name of the Movie Subject
Friends
L Rio English
M Frozen Physics
N Up Geography
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 80
 O Lion King Chemistry ii) T < F (x)
P Finding History iii) O > T (x)
Nemo iv) P < U (x)
Q Shrek Civics Hence, ‘D’ is true.
R Cars Biology 21) b):
Hint – Statement: M ≥ N ≤ Y ≤ R < U = Z ≥ E
17) a): Hint – Statement: Solution:
S>M≥D>H≤R≤T<W i) M > R (x)
Conclusions: ii) Z ≤ R (x)
I. S > H → True iii) R > E (x)
II. W > H → True iv) Z > Y (✓)
Hence ‘B’ is true.
III. R < W → True
22) e):
IV. M > T → False
Hint – Statement: P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D
Hence, only I, II and III are true.
Solution:
Hence ‘A’ is true.
i) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D
18) b): Hint – Statement:
M > U > L ≤ N; L ≥ Y > A
Same sign
Solution:
M > Q (✓)

ii) P ≥ Q ≤ C ≤ B = M > D

opposite sign
D ≤ P (x)
iii) M = Q (✓)
i) Y < N False M ≥ Q (✓)
ii) M > N False Either I or III true.
iii) N = Y False iv) P > Q ≤ C ≤ B = M < D
iv) M > A (same sign) True
Hence ‘C’ is true. opposite sign
19) d): C > D (x)
Hint – Statement: J ≥ A > D = E; L < A < M Hence ‘E’ is true.
Solution:
23 – 29):

i) M<J (x)
ii) J>L (✓)
iii) D>L (x)
∵ (opposite sign)
iv) E < M (✓)
Hence ‘D’ is true.
20) d): 30 – 31):
Statement: Y > F ≤ O ≤ P; F ≥ U < T
Solution:

i) Y > P (x)
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 81
32 - 35): After one hour one train covered
distance = 20 km
Remaining Distance = 110 – 20 = 90
km
Relative speed = 20 + 25 = 45 km/hr
90
They will meet After = = 2 hrs
130 + 190 + 120 + 200 + 220 860 45
36. (b) = = 172 Meeting Time = 8 am & 2 hrs = 10 am
5 5
37. (a) Monday 51. (c) (2704 + 2025)  ? = 8
38. (d) 260 : 140 4729
?= = 591.125
13 : 7 8
39. (a) Monday 52. (a) 781 + 15.6% of ? = 1795
537 ? = 6500
40. (e)  100 = 212%
250
41. (c) 53. (d) (1424 - ?)  5 = 1020
? = 1220
54. (c) 1416
30 + 4.4
55. (d) =?
8
4.3 = ?
56. (b) The series is x8 – 28, x7 – 24, x6 – 20, …

57. (a) The series is x1 + 4, x2 + 8, x3 + 12 …….

58. (c) The series is x1 + 1, x2 + 2, x3 + 3, …..

1:2
59. (a) The series is x2 + 4, x2 + 8, x2 + 12 …….
S’s percentage = 17  2 = 34 years
60. (d) The series is x1.5, x3, x4.5, ………
42. (c) 32.9 : 31.2
36
329 : 312 61. (d) Always divided by 9, =4
9
14.1
43. (d)  100 = 15.3  15%  Difference between two digits = 4
91.2
Difference between their ratio = 1
16200+ 15300
44. (b) = 15750 1=4
2
 No is 48
45. (d) 78.3
(4 + 8) – (8 – 4) = 8
16.7 − 16.1
46. (a)  100 = 3.73 15  14
10 
16.1 C1 15 C 2 2  1 = 10 15  7
10
62. (b)
115 25
C3 25  24  23 25  24  23
47. (a) 2,60,000  = 299000
100 3  2 1
48. (a) Total Expenditure for Rs. = 25+40 + 65 21
=
Rs. 130 46
No. of Pcs. =
1560
= 12 Pcs 63. (e) x2 − 10x + 21 = 0
130 y2 – 16y + 63 = 0
50. (d) −7, −3 −7, −9
x = 7, 3 y = 7, 9
x y
7 7
3 9
x=y
x<y
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 82
 x<y 69. (d) A B C
x<y 20,00024 15,000  24 20,000  18
xy 4 : 3 : 3
64. (e) x2 – 256 = 529 – 56 B’s share = 2500  3
y1/3 + 321 = 324 10 = 25,000
x2 = 729 = 7500/- 1 = 2500
y1/3 = 3 70. (b) Upstrem (US) = 2 km/hr
x =  27 y = 27 Downstrem = (DS) = 1 km per 10 mins
x y or 6 km/hr
27 27 D + US 2 + 6
S of man = S + = 4 km/hr
− 27 2 2
x=y Time taken by him for 5 km in
x<y D
stationary water =
xy S
5 5
20 185 / 2 = hr =  60 = 75 minutes
65. (a) = x y2 =  y2  y 4 4
x y
81. In the given sentence 'Sway' means 'influence'
= 185/2 82. Here, 'core' means 'important' so 'essential' is
1 5 2
2+  the right option
x = 20 y 2 = 185 / 2  y = 18 2 5 = 18
83. Here, 'stress' refers to 'highlight'
 y = 18 x>y 84. 'untenable' means 'indefensible' so the
66. (a) 6x + 8 = 0 opposite should be 'viable'
9y + 16 = 0 85. in the sentence, 'empty' refers to 'meaningless'
x = −8/6 = −4/3 y = −16/9 so opposite should be 'meaningful'
x y 86. Add ‘of’ after ‘worthy’
x>y
− 4 / 3 − 16 / 9 87. Replace ‘with’ by ‘in’
x>y 88. Replace ‘of’ by ‘than’
34 89. Replace ‘no’ by ‘any’
67. (c) = 17 x
x 90. 'Shall be less' should be replaced by 'should be
lowered'
2 y +5 y 3
= 91. 'A possible shortage of' is the right option
6 y 92. No error
x=2 7y = 18 93. 'what we can do' should be used
y = 18/7
x y
x<y
2 18 / 7
x<y
68. (b) A − 12 hrs 5l

B − 15 hrs 4l
60 l
C − 20 hrs 3l

A + B, A+C
1st hour 2nd hour
5 + 4 = 9l 4 + 3 = 8l
In 2 hours tanker filled = 17
51 + 9 = 60
6hrs next hour 7 hrs

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 83

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GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 84

 36) Manoj Das, a prolific Indian author who wrote in
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51) Which country approved the proposed sale of six P-
8I aircraft to Indian Navy? USA
52) P-81 is what type of military aircraft? Maritime
surveillance
53) Which international day is celebrated on May 3 to
pay gratitude to journalists who bring us honest and
real news? World Press Freedom Day
54) Which article of Indian Constitution assures
freedom of press? Article 19(1)(a)
55) Which former Lt. Governor of Delhi, Goa and twice
Governor of J&K passed away recently on May 3?
Jagmohan
56) Mark Selby of _________ won the World Snooker
Championship for the fourth time: Britain
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
57) Who has been appointed as the Deputy Governor of
the RBI for a period of three years? T Rabi Sankar
58) World Laughter Day is celebrated on which Sunday
of May? First
59) International Firefighters’ Day is celebrated on
which day of May? Fourth
60) Bengaluru based Shyamala Ganesh, a teacher of
Japanese has been honoured with Order of Rising
Sun by which country? Japan
61) With which country India adopted an ambitious
‘Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties to a
‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’? Britain
62) World Asthma Day is observed on ________ Tuesday
of May: First
63) May 05 is observed as ______ Hygiene Day with active
support from WHO: Hand
64) The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has
decided to institute the “__________ _____ Lifetime
Achievement Award for Excellence in Cinema” to
pay tributes to the legendary filmmaker: Satyajit
Ray
65) What is the cash award given with the “Satyajit Ray
Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in
Cinema”? Rs. Ten lakh
66) Ajit Singh, former Union Minister, founder and
current chief of ___________ passed away on May 6:
Rashtriya Lok Dal
67) Name the President of the Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam party who has been sworn in as the new
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu? M K Stalin
68) N Rengasamy, Chief of the NR Congress has been
sworn in as the Chief Minister of __________:
Puducherry
69) Mount Sinabung, one of the most active volcanoes,
erupted once again on May 7. It is in which country?
Indonesia
70) Global rating agency S&P slashed India’s GDP
growth rate to 9.8%. What is full form of S&P?
Standard and Poor’s
71) The top Oil and Gas PSUs of India have signed a MoU
to develop which famous pilgrimage center in
Uttarakhand? Shri Badrinath Dham
72) Which country successfully sent a new remote
sensing satellite, Yaogan-34, into space? China
73) The meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of
Seven countries - G-7 was held in which place?
London
74) Kami Rita, the 51-year-old Sherpa guide from Nepal
created which new record? Scaling Mt Everest 25
times
75) World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 to
commemorate the birth day of its founder. Who was
he? Henri Dunant
76) Where is the headquarter of Red Cross? Geneva,
Switzerland
77) World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 08. It is
associated with which ailment? Blood disorder
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 78) India and many other countries celebrate Happy
Mother’s Day on __________ Sunday of May: Second
79) Who has been declared Laureus Sportswoman of the
Year? Naomi Osaka
80) Naomi Osaka is a noted player of which sports form?
Tennis
81) Laureus Sportsman of the Year award has been won
by: Rafael Nadal
82) Which sportsperson was awarded Laureus Lifetime
Achievement Award? Tennis legend Ms. Billie
Jean King, USA
83) The navies of India and Indonesia carried out a
military drill 'Passage' exercise (PASSEX) on May 8
in which area? In the Southern Arabian Sea
84) Himanta Biswa Sarma has been elected as the new
chief minister of which state? Assam
85) What is the theme of this year’s World Migratory
Day observed on May 8 (second Sunday)? Sing, Fly,
Soar – Like a Bird!
86) The Drugs Controller General of India has given its
approval for the emergency use of the anti-COVID
drug developed by DRDO. What is its name? 2-
deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)
87) The DRDO has collaborated with which drug firm to
produce 2-deoxy-D-glucose drug? Dr Reddy’s
Laboratories, Hyderabad
88) The Meeting of the European Council held on May 9
was hosted by which country? Portugal
89) How many countries are the member of European
Union? 27
90) Raghunath Mohapatra, eminent sculptor, architect,
and Rajya Sabha member passed away recently. He
hailed from which state? Odisha
91) __________ became the first Indian state to have a real-
time digital flood reporting system Flood Reporting
and Information Management System (FRIMS):
Assam
92) National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 to
commemorate the day on which India successfully
test-fired its first _________ : Nuclear bomb in 1998
93) The World Food Prize was started by which great
Nobel laureate? Dr. Norman Borlaug
94) Dr. Norman Borlaug is remembered for his
contribution in developing high yield disease
resistant varieties of which crop? Wheat
95) International Nurses Day is observed on May 12 to
commemorate the birth day of which legendary
nurse? Florence Nightingale
96) What was the popular nick name of Florence
Nightingale? Lady with the lamp
97) Jose J Kattoor has been appointed as the ________ of
the Reserve Bank of India: Executive Director (ED)
98) Who is the chairman of the board of directors of RBI?
Shaktikanta Das, Governor RBI
99) According to the World Bank’s latest Migration and
Development Brief, which country received highest
amount of inward remittances in 2020? India
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
100) From which country outflow of remittances was the
highest in the year 2020? USA
101) The National Bamboo Mission launched an MIS
based reporting platform for _________ production:
Agarbatti stick
102) What is the name of the China’s robotic rover that
landed on Mars? Zhurong
103) Who has been re-appointed as Nepal's Prime
Minister on May 14? K P Sharma Oli
104) Whitley Awards are given for recognizing
outstanding contribution in which field? Nature’s
conservation
105) What is another popular name for the Whitley
awards? Green Oscar
106) Which Indian is one of the seven winners of this
year’s prestigious Whitley Award? Y Nuklu Phom,
Nagaland
107) The central government launched a Rs 25,000 crore-
SWAMIH fund for what purpose? For funding
housing projects facing acute financial crunch
108) What is the full form of SWAMIH? Special Window
for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing
109) Which company is responsible for managing the
SWAMIH fund? SBICap Ventures Ltd.
110) Which union ministry is responsible for the
administration of the SWAMIH Fund? Ministry of
Finance
111) International Family Day is observed on which date?
May 15
112) What is the theme of this year’s International Family
Day? Families and New Technologies
113) Which union minister has been honoured with the
International Invincible Gold Medal? Dr Ramesh
Pokhriyal Nishank
114) Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is heading which
union ministry? Ministry of Education
115) Padma Bhushan Prof. M S Narasimhan passed away
on May 16. He was an eminent ________ of India?
Mathematician
116) Italian Open Tennis Tournament was held in which
Italian city? Rome
117) Iga Swiatek, 2winner of the women’s singles title at
the Italian Open, hails from which country? Poland
118) Andrea Meza, winner of Miss Universe 2020 title is
beauty queen of which country? Mexico
119) Who has been appointed as the Head Coach of Indian
Cricket Team (Senior Women)? Ramesh Powar
120) Who secured the top spot-on Fortune magazine's
list of the world's 50 greatest leaders? Jacinda
Ardern, PM of New Zealand
121) Sir David Attenborough has been named as the
“_________” of the UN Climate Change Conference:
People’s Advocate
122) The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), is
scheduled to be held in _______, Scotland in November
2021: Glasgow
123) National Dengue Day is observed on which day of
May month? 16th
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 124) Dengue is transmitted by the infective bite of which
mosquito? Aedes Aegypti
125) May 17 is dedicated to promote public awareness
about which common ailment and its prevention?
Hypertension
126) Which group of Palestinian militants was engaged in
a fierce battle with Israel in the mid of May? Hamas
127) Severe Cyclone Tauktae devastated large areas of
which part of Indian coast? Western coast
128) Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, Congress stalwart, died of
Covid in Amritsar. He represented which Lok Sabha
constituency six times? Amritsar
129) As per new RBI guidelines, how much money can be
now withdrawn from online wallets through
ATMs/PoS machines? Up to Rs. 2,000 per
transaction, maximum 10,000 in a month
130) Moctar Ouane has been re-appointed as the Prime
Minister of Mali, a landlocked country in ________
Africa: Western
131) Arjan ‘Singh’ Bhullar, winner of the ONE
Heavyweight World Title at the top-level MMA
(Mixed Martial Arts) Championship, Singapore, hails
from which country? Canada
132) Penpa Tsering has been elected as the new ________ of
the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile: President
133) Jagannath Pahadia, the first Dalit Chief Minister of
________ , succumbed to death due to COVID-19 at the
age of 89 on May 19: Rajasthan
134) What is the theme of this year’s World Metrology
Day observed on May 20? Measurement for
Health
135) The World Bee Day is observed on which day of
May? 20th
136) Which state emerged at the top in establishing
Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the
Ayushman Bharat Program? Karnataka
137) Which state stood first in implementation of the
Smart City Mission? Jharkhand
138) Smart City Mission is the flagship project of which
union ministry? Ministry of Urban Development
139) China successfully sent Haiyang-2D (HY-2D)
satellite into orbit on May 19 for what purpose?
Ocean monitoring
140) The Indian Navy decommissioned on May 21 its first
destroyer warship named __________ : INS Rajput
141) Sunderlal Bahuguna, noted environmentalist passed
away on May 21. He was pioneer of which world-
famous conservation movement? “Chipko
Andolan” in 1974 in Uttarakhand to prevent
felling of trees
142) Reserve Bank decided to transfer over ____ billion
rupees as surplus to Centre for nine months ended
March 31, 2021: 99
143) The one million Euro Millennium Technology Prize
is given by the Technology Academy of which
country? Finland
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
144) World’s largest ever reported iceberg has been
sighted in which area? Weddell Sea in Southern
Ocean
145) Anti-Terrorism Day on May 21 marks the death
anniversary of which great Indian leader? Rajiv
Gandhi
146) Which Bank launched its fully digitised, end-to-end,
Loan Processing System (LPS) for its MSME and Agri
borrowers? IDBI Bank
147) International Tea Day is observed across the world
on which date? May 21
148) The 2022 FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup will
be held in ________from October 11 to 30, 2022: India
149) International Day for Biodiversity is observed on
which day of May? 22nd
150) Who is the winner of this year’s prestigious
Templeton Prize? World-famous conservationist
and environmentalist Jane Goodall of UK
151) The Templeton Prize is given by which
organization? John Templeton Foundation,
Philadelphia, USA
152) What is the amount of cash award given in
Templeton Prize? $ 1.5 million
153) Who topped the Forbes list of the world's 10
highest-earning athletes, having made $180 million
in 2020? Conor McGregor
154) Conor McGregor is associated with which sports?
Mixed Martial Arts – MMA
155) Conor McGregor is citizen of which nation? Ireland
156) What is the theme of this year’s World Turtle Day?
Turtle Rocks!
157) World famous sea turtle hatching site Gahirmatha
beach is in which Indian state? Odisha
158) The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo volcano sent
about 5,000 people fleeing from the city of Goma in
which country? Democratic Republic of the
Congo
159) Max Verstappen of team Red Bull won the Formula
One championship in Monaco Grand Prix. He hails
from which country? Netherlands
160) Name the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy
Commission and a veteran Nuclear Scientist who
passed away recently: Dr. Srikumar Banerjee
161) Who has been re-elected as the President of
International Hockey Federation (FIH)? Narinder
Batra
162) International Hockey Federation (FIH) is based at
which place? Lausanne (Switzerland)
163) The Finance Ministry notified final rules for raising
foreign investment limit to _____per cent (from 49%
earlier) in the insurance sector: 74
164) Which organization announced the launch of the
'School of Hope and Empowerment' (S.H.E.) at the
2021 UNESCO World Conference on Education for
Sustainable Development? Tata Communications
165) India observes National Endangered Species Day on
______ Friday of May: Third
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 166) Which international body maintains the most
comprehensive Red List of Threatened Species
around the world? International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland
167) May 24 is devoted to raise awareness at global level
about which ailment? Thyroid disorders
168) ________ won the prestigious Etienne Glichitch Award
given by the International Hockey Federation:
Hockey India
169) Billboard 2021 Music Awards are the popularity-
based music awards of which country? USA
170) Who won the 10 Billboard 2021 Music Awards,
including the iconic Top Artist Trophy? The
Weeknd
171) Anatole Collinet Makosso has been appointed as the
new ________ of Republic of Congo: Prime Minister
172) The Shergaon Biodiversity Management Committee
(BMC) won the ‘Best BMC in India’ award. It is in
which state? Arunachal Pradesh
173) Which international day is observed every year in
May on the first full moon day, also known as
Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima? Vesak Day
174) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, the 1985-batch IPS officer of
Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the next
Director of which apex organization? CBI – Central
Bureau of Investigation
175) Cyclone Yaas, a ‘very severe’ cyclone devastated the
beach towns in which two states? North Odisha
and adjoining West Bengal
176) Which union Ministry plans to set up a National
Mission on the use of biomass in coal-based thermal
power plants? The Union Power Ministry
177) From which country India received highest amount
of FDI in 2020-21? Singapore
178) Which Indian state received the highest amount of
FDI in 2020-21? Gujarat
APRIL 2021
179) What was the name of the Indian and French Navy
bilateral exercise held in the Arabian Sea from April
25 to 27? VARUNA 2021
180) The Hyundai Archery World Cup was hosted by
which country? Guatemala
181) Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das are the top India
players of which sports? Archery
182) Name the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist
from Banaras gharana who died on April 25 due to
COVID-19 complications: Pandit Rajan Mishra
183) Which former Governor of Reserve Bank of India
was regarded as the “Father of banking reforms in
India”? M Narasimham
184) Malaria is caused through the bites of infected
female ________ mosquitoes: Anopheles
185) Celebrations of the World Intellectual Property Day
on April 26 are supported by which UN
Agency? World Intellectual Property Office
(WIPO), Geneva
186) What is the title of the latest novel written by noted
novelist Amitav Ghosh? A Living Mountain
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
187) ‘Whereabouts’ is the title of the latest novel written
by ? Jhumpa Lahiri
188) Who is the author of the popular novel titled “The
Hard Crowd”? Rachel Kushner
189) Which UN agency supports the celebration of the
World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April
28? International Labour Organization (ILO)
190) The Ayushman Bharat Diwas observed on April 30
is associated with which national health
scheme? Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PMJAY)
191) Which picture won the Oscar for the Best Picture for
2020? Nomadland
192) Ms. Chloé Zhao of USA won the Oscar for the best
director for which movie? Nomadland
193) Who won the Oscar for the Best Actor in a leading
role? Anthony Hopkins for The Father
194) The RBI has capped the tenure of MD & CEO of
commercial banks to a maximum of _____ years: 15
195) The Asian Development Bank has projected Indian
economy to grow at _____ per cent in the current
financial year: 11
196) China has named its first-ever Mars rover as
________ after an ancient fire god: Zhurong
197) What is the official name of the China’s space
agency? China National Space Administration
198) The submarine ‘KRI Nanggala (402)’, that went
missing on 21 April, 2021, killing all the 53 mariners
on board, belonged to which country? Indonesia
199) Which leading Indian digital financial services
provider launched on April 26 India’s first video-
based wealth community? Paytm
200) Some leading not-for -profit environmental and
social organisations came together to form the Blue
Nature Alliance for what purpose? To protect the
oceans from environmental threats
201) India and the US held a two-day naval PASSEX
exercise on March 28-29 in which place? Bay of
Bengal
202) Mahinder Giri, range officer of Rajaji Tiger Reserve
was selected recently for which international
award? International Ranger Award
203) Which country topped the medal tally in the ISSF
World Cup at Delhi? India
204) Which country successfully test-fired a nuclear-
capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile
Shaheen-1A on March 26? Pakistan
205) 'World's First Mobile Water from Air Kiosk and
Water Knowledge Centre' has been set up in which
Indian city? Visakhapatnam
206) Who has been elected as the new chairperson of the
Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE)?
Ms. Soma Mondal
207) Soma Mondal is the chairperson of which public
sector organization? Steel Authority of India
Limited (SAIL)
208) Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has
proposed up to _____ percent tax concession on the
88
 purchase of new vehicles on submission of
scrappage certificate: 25
209) RBI has made use of AFA mandatory for all
recurring payments through cards or UPI, wef
April1, 2021. What is AFA? Additional Factor of
Authentication
210) Who is the director of the film ‘Thappad’, winner of
Filmfare Award for the Best Film? Anubhav Sinha
211) Who won the Filmfare Award for the Best Actor in
lead role? Irrfan Khan for Angrezi Medium
212) Om Raut won the Filmfare Award for the Best
Director for which film? Tanhaji: The Unsung
Warrior
213) Taapsee Pannu won the Filmfare Award for the Best
Actress in lead role for which film? Thappad
214) The International Day of Drug Checking is observed
every year on which day of March? 31st
215) Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the season-opening
Bahrain Grand Prix F1 championship on March 28
for which team? Team Mercedes
216) What is the cash award given in the national
Dadasaheb Phalke Award? Rs. 10 lakh
217) Who won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award
for 2019? Superstar Rajnikant
218) What is the real name of Rajnikant? Shivaji Rao
Gaekwad
219) Which country fared best in the gender parity as per
the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021? Iceland
220) What was India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap
Report 2021? 140th
221) Where are the headquarters of the World Economic
Forum? Cologny, Switzerland
222) What was the name of the 11th edition of Indo-US
joint special forces exercise held at Special Forces
training school, Bakloh? Vajra Prahar 2021
223) Special Forces Training School located at Bakloh is
in which state? Himachal Pradesh
224) Saraswati Samman is bestowed for outstanding
contribution in which field? Literature
225) What is the cash award given with the Saraswati
Samman? Rs. 15 lakh
226) Who is the winner of the Saraswati Samman for
2020? Dr Sharankumar Limbale
227) Dr Sharankumar Limbale won the Saraswati
Samman for which book? Sanatan
228) Dr. Limbale is a renowned writer of which
language? Marathi
229) World Autism Awareness Day is observed on which
date? April 2
230) An area at Amboli in Western ghats has been
declared as a biodiversity heritage site. It is in
which state? Maharashtra
231) India's biggest floating solar power plant with a
capacity of 100 MW is being set up by the NTPC at
its Ramagundam thermal power plant reservoir. It
is in which state? Telangana
232) Who is the Governor of Telangana? Tamilisai
Soundararajan
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
233) The Central Government plans to issue a _____ digit
identification number “Unique Land Parcel
Identification Number (ULPIN)” to every plot of
land in the country: 14
234) From April 1 this year, GST taxpayers having
turnover of more than 5 crore rupees in the
preceding financial year, will have to furnish 6 digits
HSN Code. What is HSN? Harmonised System of
Nomenclature
235) CBIC issues 6-digit SAC to uniformly classify each
service under the applicable rate of GST. What is
SAC? Service Accounting Code
236) The government has decided to keep the inflation-
targeting framework for the RBI unchanged at ___ %
for the next five-year period: Four
237) Sankalp se Siddhi” drive is an initiative of which
union ministry? Ministry of Tribal Affairs
238) Veteran actress of over 100 Hindi films passed away
at her residence in Mumbai on April 4. What was her
real name? Shashikala Jawalkar
239) As many as 23 CRPF jawans were killed and around
50 were injured after an encounter with local
Naxalites on April 3 in Jagargunda area. It is in
which state? Chhattisgarh
240) Hubert Hurkacz won the men’s singles title at the
Miami Open Tennis Tournament. He hails from
which country? Poland
241) Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of
Public Enterprises Selection Board? Mallika
Srinivasan
242) The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank approved a loan for $ 300 million
for canal-based drinking water project in which
state? Punjab
243) India celebrates National Maritime Day on which
day of April? 5th
244) Justice NV Ramana has been appointed as the ______
Chief Justice of India: 48th
245) Which country suffered flash floods and landslides
triggered by tropical cyclone Seroja? Indonesia
246) _________ became the first state in the country to
provide free health insurance facility to all the
citizens of the state: Rajasthan
247) RBI in its first MPC meeting kept the benchmark
interest rate - Repo Rate unchanged at ____ percent:
Four
248) Which big country passed a law to facilitate its
current President to hold office for two additional 6-
year terms till 2036? Russia
249) The Indian Navy participated in a France-led multi
nation naval drill named _________ from April 5 to 7
in the Bay of Bengal: “La Perouse”
250) Tarun Bajaj has been appointed as the new _____
Secretary under the Ministry of Finance: Revenue
251) _________ appointed as the new Economic Affairs
Secretary in the Ministry of Finance: Ajay Seth
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 252) The Reserve Bank has decided to bring out a
Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index). It will be
released annually in the month of ________ : July
253) AM Turing Award is given for recognizing
outstanding excellence in which field? Computer
Science
254) Who won the AM Turing Award for the year 2020?
Prof. Alfred V Aho of USA
255) The Reserve Bank has enhanced the limit of
maximum balance to Rs. _________ in accounts of
Payment Banks? Two lakh
256) ________ has been appointed as the Chairman and
Managing Director of SIDBI: S Ramann
257) The Supreme Court of India on April 7 launched its
Artificial Intelligence portal by what name?
SUPACE
258) What is the full form of SUPACE? Supreme Court
Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency
259) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual
summit with his _________ counterpart Mark Rutte on
April 9: Netherlands
260) Government launched which portal on April 7 to
promote the honey mission in the country?
Madhukranti
261) The Government launched on April 7 the Tribal
Health Collaborative named: Anamaya
262) What is the name of the Indian World Heavyweight
Champion recently inducted into the WWE Hall of
Fame? Dalip Singh Rana (Great Khali)
263) India has developed the world's first micro-sensor
based explosive trace detector named: Nano
Sniffer
264) Prince Philip, British Queen Elizabeth's husband,
died at the age of 99. What was his official title?
Duke of Edinburgh
265) Which Bank approved a $ 484 million loan to
improve the road maintenance and transport
connectivity in the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial
Corridor? Asian Development Bank
266) World Homoeopathy Day is observed on April 10 to
commemorate the birthday of ________: Dr. Samuel
Hahnemann
267) The National Safe Motherhood Day is observed on
which date? April 11
268) As per the recently published Academic Ranking of
World Universities (ARWU 2020), which university
topped the rankings in India? Calcutta University
269) Which university topped in the world the Academic
Ranking of World Universities? Harvard
University, USA
270) Which film won the BAFTA award for the best film?
Nomadland
271) Who won the BAFTA for the Best Director? Ms.
Chloe Zhao
272) Yuri Gagarin, the first human being to undertake the
space flight, hailed from which country? Russia
273) The Parkinson disease is associated with which
system of human body? Nervous
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
274) Festival of Baisakhi marks the thanksgiving by the
farmer community for the bumper _____ crops: Rabi
275) In which state Baisakhi is celebrated as Rongali
Bihu? Assam
276) In Kerala, festival of Baisakhi is celebrated as ______:
Vishu
277) Name the Election Commissioner who has been
appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of
India: Sushil Chandra
278) India participated in a 10-day multinational military
exercise held in Bangladesh. What was its name?
Shantir Ogroshena
279) Which country hosted the 6th edition of the Raisina
Dialogue in virtual mode from April 13 to 16? India
280) Guneet Monga has been selected for the French
civilian honour the Knight of the Order of Arts and
Letters. She is a renowned _______ : Film maker
281) Government launched the e-SaNta platform for
promotion of ________ products: Marine
282) Government launched a mobile application called
“Little Guru” to enable the user to learn __________
language: Sanskrit
283) The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted
its approval to ________ Laboratories for restricted
emergency use of Russian COVID-19 vaccine: Dr.
Reddy’s
284) What is the name of Russian COVID – 19 vaccine?
Sputnik V
285) Guillermo Lasso has been elected as the President of
which South American country? Ecuador
286) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is
headed by _______ : Vijay Sampla
287) Government launched _________ , a mission dedicated
to spread awareness about nutrition: Aahaar
Kranti
288) Government launched MANAS App to promote
wellbeing across all age groups. What is the full
form of MANAS? Mental Health and Normalcy
Augmentation System.
289) Which Indian cricketer has been named Wisden
Almanack's ODI player of the 2010s? Virat Kohli
290) World Art Day celebrated on April 15 is associated
with birthday of which legendary artist/painter?
Leonardo da Vinci
291) Which district bagged top position at National level
for successfully implementing Pradhan Mantri
Gram Sadak Yojana during 2020-21? Udhampur
district of Jammu and Kashmir
292) Indian Army celebrates April 13 as Siachen Day to
mark its victorious operation _______ in 1984 against
Pakistan: Meghdoot
293) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
unveiled three path breaking initiatives for National
Internet Exchange of India. What is its short name?
NIXI
294) Which country announced the expulsion of 10
Russian diplomats on April 15? USA
90
 295) Sarita Mor (of Sonipat, Haryana) won the gold in the
Asian ________ Championships in Almaty,
Kazakhstan: Wrestling
296) The Reserve Bank has decided to set up a new
Regulations Review Authority headed by _______ ? M
Rajeshwar Rao
297) Which country topped the Inclusive Internet Index
2021? Sweden
298) What was India’s rank in the Inclusive Internet
Index 2021? 49th
299) Which Indian set a new World Record in the
women's 49kg Clean and Jerk at Asian Weightlifting
Championships in Tashkent? Mirabai Chanu of
Manipur
300) The 8th Indo-Kyrgyz Joint Special Forces Exercise
“Khanjar” was held at which place? Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan
301) World Haemophilia Day is observed on April 17.
Haemophilia is associated with which ailment?
Bleeding disorders
302) Celebration of World Heritage Day on April 18 is
supported by which UN agency? UNESCO
303) The Henley Passport Index placed which country’s
passport at the top? Japan
304) What was Indian passport’s rank on the Henley
Passport Index? 84th
305) Miguel Díaz-Canel has been appointed as the new
President of which country? Cuba
306) NASA's Mars helicopter named ________ made history
with a successful flight on the Red Planet:
‘Ingenuity’
307) The World Liver Day is observed on which date?
April 19
308) The Reserve Bank constituted a panel to carry out a
review of the working of ARCs. What is the full form
of ARC? Asset Reconstruction Company
309) ARC is a specialized financial institution that buys
the ________ from banks at a mutually agreed value:
Bad loans (NPAs)
310) The ARCs are to be registered with which apex
organization? RBI
311) The Government of India celebrates Civil Services
Day on which date? April 21
312) Who referred to civil servants as the 'Steel frame of
India' in 1947? Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
313) Which country secured top rank in the Energy
Transition Index released by the WEF? Sweden
314) What was India’s rank in the Energy Transition
Index released by the WEF? 87th
315) The Press Freedom Index 2021 that evaluates the
press freedom situation in 180 countries, ranked
which country at the top? Norway
316) India was placed at _____ rank in the recently
released Press Freedom Index 2021: 142nd
317) Which international day is observed on April 22 to
create awareness about pollution and to celebrate
the environment of our planet? The Earth Day
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
318) What is the theme of this year’s Earth Day? Restore
our Earth
319) Which city has been selected as the World Book
Capital for a one-year period on the occasion of the
World Book and Copyright Day on April 23? Tbilisi
in Georgia
320) Which international day marks the birthday and
death anniversary of the legendary writer William
Shakespeare on April 23? The English Language
Day
321) ____________ hosted a two-day Leaders Climate
Summit of world leaders on the Earth Day, April 22:
US President Joe Biden
322) What was the theme of the Leaders Climate Summit
of world leaders held on the Earth Day, April 22?
Our Collective Sprint to 2030
323) Name the noted Indian Islamic scholar, spiritual
leader and author who passed away on April 21 due
to Covid-19 complications: Maulana Wahiduddin
Khan
324) Shankha Ghosh, an eminent Bengali _______ passed
away on April 21 losing his battle against COVID 19:
Poet
325) ____________ became the first country to ratify the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) agreement on April 9: Singapore
326) In which year government enacted the Panchayati
Raj Act? 1993
327) Which number amendment of the Indian
Constitution is associated with the enactment of
Panchayati Raj Act? 73rd
328) Which country, along with Russia, topped the medal
tally at the World Youth Boxing Championships held
in Kielce, Poland? India
329) Rekha M Menon, Chairperson of IT firm Accenture
India, has been appointed as chairperson of which
apex business body? National Association of
Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
330) The World Veterinary Day is observed on the _______
Saturday of April every year: Last
MARCH 2021
331) The book ‘India’s Power Elite’ is written by______:
Sanjay Baru, ex-media to former prime minister
Manmohan Singh
332) What is the name of the sixth offshore patrol vessel
commissioned into service at Chennai Port Trust on
March 24? ICGS Vajra
333) Who has been selected to head the RBI committee
formed to evaluate applications for “on-tap”
licensing of universal banks and small finance
banks? Ms. Shyamala Gopinath
334) NITI Aayog formed 11 committees to expedite the
transition of the country from a linear economy to a
_______ economy: Circular
335) _______ has decided to develop world class ‘Wayside
Amenities’ at more than 600 locations across 22
states in the next five years: National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI)
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 336) Government has raised the limit for tax exemption
on interest earned on provident fund contributions
by employees to Rs. ____lakh: Five
337) Which country plans to build the world's first ship
tunnel, designed to help vessels to avoid navigating
the treacherous Stadhavet Sea? Norway
338) Vyas Samman is associated with which field? Hindi
literature
339) Who is the winner of Vyas Samman – 2020? Prof.
Sharad Pagare
340) Prof. Sharad Pagare won the Vyas Samma for which
book? Patliputra Ki Samragyi
341) What is the amount of cash award given in the Vyas
Samman? Rs. four lakhs
342) Name the former Deputy Governor of the RBI who
left for heavenly abode on March 26: KC
Chakrabarty
343) Name the noted journalist and author who died in
Mumbai on March 26: Anil Dharker
344) Which country topped the International Intellectual
Property Index 2021? USA
345) India was placed at which spot in the International
Intellectual Property Index 2021? 40th
346) Which district has been declared as the first TB free
district in India? Budgam, J&K
347) With which country India conducted its first
Passage Exercise (PASSEX) on 24 March in western
Indian Ocean? Madagascar
348) Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected as the
President of which country for the next five years?
Republic of Congo
349) Bangladesh is celebrating which year of its
liberation? 50th
350) Who is the current Prime Minister of the
Bangladesh? Sheikh Hasina Wajed
351) Who has been appointed as the CEO of Unique
Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)? Saurabh
Garg
352) World Theatre Day is observed on which day of
March? 27th
353) Every year, the Earth Hour is celebrated worldwide
on the _______ Saturday of March: Last
354) Which bank has been adjudged the India's best bank
for SMEs at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 202?
HDFC Bank
355) Out of wheat and rice, which crop is produced more
in India? Rice
356) The Centre has lifted embargo on private sector
banks for conduct of ________ business related
transactions: Government
357) What is the formal name of the world’s largest
cricket stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad? Narendra
Modi Stadium
358) Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of the
National Commission for Scheduled Castes? Vijay
Sampla
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
359) Jasmine Harrison, a 21-year-old British woman
from England became the youngest woman to do
what? To row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
360) Which film won the Dadasaheb Phalke International
Film Award for the best film? Tanhaji: The Unsung
Warrior
361) Akshay Kumar won the Dadasaheb Phalke
International Film Award for the Best Actor for
which film? Laxmii
362) Irakli Garibashvili has been appointed as the new
__________ of Georgia: Prime Minister
363) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs signed a MoU on
Feb 25 for exchange of data with which Central
Board? Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs
364) Under which Act the government announced new
policies for regulation of content on social media
and over the top (OTT) platforms? Information
Technology Act, 2000
365) Which country passed amendments to their News
Media Bargaining Code to force online platforms
like Google and Facebook to pay for news they
source from local media? Australia
366) Which country emerged as India’s biggest trade
partner in 2020? China
367) Which Buddhist pilgrimage city has been selected
recently under the National Mission on Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive
(PRASAD) scheme? Leh, Ladakh
368) Name the Indian social activist in the field of Right
to Information in India who has been selected by the
US government for the International Anti-
corruption Champions Award? Anjali Bharadwaj
369) Mohamed Bazoum has been elected as the new
President of which African country? Niger
370) Dushyant Chautala, Deputy CM of Haryana, has been
re-elected as the President of which sports
federation of India? Table Tennis
371) The central government has selected 12 tourist sites
under the Swachh Iconic Places under an initiative
of which ministry? Ministry of Jal Shakti
372) The famous historical monument Sanchi Stupa is in
which state? Madhya Pradesh
373) Which state is famous for Kumbhalgarh Fort and
Ramdevra Temple? Rajasthan
374) Government has decided to form a Centre of
Excellence in gaming and other related areas in
collaboration with which IIT of the country? IIT
Bombay
375) ISRO launched the Amazonia 1 optical earth
observation satellite for which country? Brazil
376) Who won the gold medal on Feb 28 in the women's
53-kg category at XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian
Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament in
Kyiv, Ukraine? Vinesh Phogat
377) Which country has taken over chairmanship of
BRICS group for 2021? India
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 378) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered
a Buddhist monastery in the Hazaribagh. It is in
which state? Jharkhand
379) Matam Venkata Rao has been appointed as
Managing Director & CEO of which Bank? Central
Bank of India
380) Government launched the Sugamya Bharat App for
what purpose? For enhancing physical
accessibility for elderly and the disabled
381) Which was the partner country in the Maritime
India Summit-2021 held on a virtual platform from
March 2 to 4? Denmark
382) Which national day is celebrated on March 01 to
commemorate the creation of the Indian Civil
Accounts Service (ICAS) on this day in 1976? Civil
Accounts Day
383) March 07 is observed as Janaushadhi Diwas. Jan
Aushadhi Kendras are the initiative of which
government department? Department of
Pharmaceuticals
384) 21st National Sqay Championship was held at which
place? Jaipur, Rajasthan
385) Sqay is the traditional martial art of which area?
Kashmir
386) Golden Globe Awards are associated with which
field? Cinema & TV
387) Which film won the Golden Globe for the Best
Motion Picture – Drama? Nomadland
388) Chloé Zhao won the Golden Globe for the best
director for which film? Nomadland
389) India donated Rs. 1.5 million to the National
Research Institute of Chinese Medicine of which
country? Taiwan
390) Indian Air Force gifted a legacy Alouette III
helicopter to which country? Bangladesh
391) A giant iceberg, around 490 sq km in size, broke off
from the ice shelf in which area? Antarctica
392) Who became the first cricketer to hit 100 million
followers on social networking platform Instagram
on March 1, 2021? Virat Kohli
393) Who is the most followed sportsperson on the
Instagram, having 266 million followers? Cristiano
Ronaldo
394) ISRO successfully launched satellite Sindhu Netra on
Feb 28. It is what type of satellite? Surveillance
satellite
395) A special contingent of the Indian Air Force took
part in the multinational exercise “Desert Flag” in
which country? UAE – United Arab Emirates
396) Which state/UT topped the medals tally in the 2 nd
Khelo India Winter National Games? J&K
397) 2nd Khelo India Winter National Games were held
in which city in J&K? Gulmarg
398) Government has decided to merge the Rajya Sabha
TV and Lok Sabha TV channels. The new channel
will be known as _______ TV: Sansad TV
399) What is the theme for this year’s Zero
Discrimination Day? End Inequalities
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
400) Which country successfully launched its first
satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and
environment? Russia
401) Which are the two international days that are
observed on March 3? World Wildlife Day and
World Hearing Day
402) With which country India agreed to jointly work in
the area of marine spatial planning in the oceanic
space for the next five years? Norway
403) Which city is the capital of Norway? Oslo
404) Which heritage iconic railway station in Mumbai is
popularly known as CST station? Chhatrapati
Shivaji Terminus
405) As per the 'Ease of Living Index' _________ topped the
list as the most livable city among 111 cities (with
population above 1 million) covered in the index:
Bengaluru
406) In the category of cities with 'population less than
million', ________ was ranked at the top in the Ease of
Living Index: Shimla
407) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual
summit with Stefan Löfven on March 5. Who is he?
Prime Minister of Sweden
408) India exported the first consignment of ‘red rice’ on
March 4 to which country? USA
409) Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in which Indian river
valley? Brahmaputra valley in Assam
410) Name the West Indies ODI and T20I skipper became
the third batsman in the history of international
cricket to hit six 6s in an over on March 3: Kieron
Pollard
411) With which country India signed a key pact on
March 2 for the supply of BrahMos supersonic
missiles? Philippines
412) BrahMos missiles are built in India in collaboration
with which country? Russia
413) Which Indian boxer has been appointed as the
chairperson of the International Boxing
Association's (AIBA) champions and veterans
committee? Mary Kom
414) India has decided to fund the reconstruction of three
more Cultural Heritage projects in which country?
Nepal
415) Which country hosted the 2021’s first G20 Finance
Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG)
meeting in virtual mode on Feb 26? Italy
416) Which prestigious environment prize was conferred
upon PM Narendra Modi via video conferencing on
March 5 at the Cambridge Energy Research
Associates Week? CERAWeek Global Energy and
Environment Leadership Award
417) DRDO successfully carried out a flight
demonstration based on SFDR technology for the
long-range air to air missiles. What is SFDR? Solid
Fuel Ducted Ramjet
418) Which city topped the final rankings in million plus
cities of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI)
2020 for the 111 Indian cities? Indore
93
 419) The 11th edition of the QS World University
Rankings ranked which university as the best in the
world? Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), USA
420) Which Indian Institute/University secured highest
(172nd) rank in the QS World University Rankings?
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
421) The UN General Assembly has declared on March 3
year 2023 as the year of ______? Millets
422) Among Ragi, Bajra, Makai and Jowar, which one is
NOT a millet? Makai
423) What is this year’s theme of the National Safety Day?
“Sadak Suraksha” (Road Safety)
424) India observes National Security Day on March 4.
Who is India’s National Security Advisor? Ajit
Kumar Doval
425) Washington-based noted think tank Freedom House
in its report, titled ‘Democracy Under Siege’, has
ranked India at which rank? 88th
426) What is the theme of this year’s International
Women’s Day? #ChooseToChallenge
427) Which Indian boxer won gold at the Boxam
International Tournament in Castellon, Spain?
Manish Kaushik
428) Which Indian boxers reached number one world
ranking in both men’s and women’s category?
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat
429) Which Indian organization launched an ‘All Women
Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo ship MT Swarna
Krishna? Shipping Corporation of India
430) An ‘All Women Officers’ Sailing’ crew on the cargo
ship MT Swarna Krishna was launched from which
Indian port? Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai
431) NPCI partnered with which company to launch
‘RuPay SoftPoS’ for millions of Indian merchants?
SBI Payments
432) Which ministry has decided to classify all of its
major programmes under three Umbrella Schemes
for their better implementation? Women and
Child Development Ministry
433) Google launched which web platform to help one
million women in rural India to become
entrepreneurs through business tutorials, tools and
mentorship? Women will
434) Which country topped the UNCTAD's Business-to-
Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index 2020?
Switzerland
435) What was India’s rank in the recently released
UNCTAD's Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-
commerce Index 2020? 71st
436) Which global organization raised the projection for
India’s economic growth rate by 4.7 percentage
points at 12.6 percent for 2021-22? OECD -
Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development, Paris
437) The Maitri Setu (Friendship Bridge) on Feni river is
located in which state? Tripura
438) Indian Railway integrated all its helplines into single
number. What is this number? 139
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
439) The Maitree Setu will link South Tripura to which
International port in Bangladesh? Chittagong
440) Koneru Humpy won the “BBC Indian Sportswoman
of the Year” (ISWOTY) award for 2020. She plays
which sports? Chess
441) The First Forest Healing centre of the country was
inaugurated recently at which place in
Uttarakhand? Ranikhet
442) ISRO and the NASA recently completed the
development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar- SAR.
What is its name? NISAR
443) DRDO conducted the final development test of the
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system on Mar 8.
It is to be used at which place? Submarines
444) Which bank launched ‘SmartUp Unnati’-- a
dedicated mentoring programme to support women
entrepreneurs? HDFC Bank
445) What is the name of the second edition of the India -
Uzbekistan joint military exercise held in Ranikhet
in Uttarakhand? DUSTLIK-II
446) The “Economic Freedom Index” released by the US
based think tank – Heritage Foundation placed
which country at the top? Singapore
447) India was ranked at which spot in the Economic
Freedom Index? 121st
448) Which country launched the world's first military
exercise in space from March 8 to 12? France
449) What was the name of the military space exercise
launched by France? AstreX
450) President of which country was selected for the
Prize for Achievement in African Leadership-2020?
Niger
451) Who has been re-appointed as the Chairman of the
Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations for
the year 2021? Girish Chandra Murmu
452) The First Quad Leaders’ Summit was held virtually
on March 12. How many countries are member of
Quad group? Four
453) Who is the Prime Minister of Japan? Yoshihide
Suga
454) What is the full form of the acronym QUAD?
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
455) Who has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of
Uttarakhand? Tirath Singh Rawat
456) Who is the Governor of Uttarakhand? Ms. Baby
Rani Maurya
457) Who became the first Indian woman cricketer and
second internationally to complete 10,000 runs
across all formats? Mithali Raj
458) _________ became the first bank in India on March 10
to launch its own range of wearable contactless
payment devices named as ‘Wear N Pay’: Axis Bank
459) What is the upper limit of amount of transactions
that can be done through ‘Wear N Pay’ devices? Rs.
5,000/-
460) Thomas Bach has been re-elected as the President of
which international sports body? International
Olympic Committee (IOC)
94
 461) Where are the headquarters of the IOC located?
Lausanne, Switzerland
462) Who has been appointed as the new Chief
Statistician of India by the Central Government? Dr.
G P Samanta
463) Which two countries signed a MoU to jointly
construct a lunar space station that will be open to
all countries? China and Russia
464) Which Indian actress has joined the list of the Young
Global Leaders (YGLs) compiled by the World
Economic Forum? Deepika Padukon
465) Which mobile app has been launched for the benefit
of those ration card holders who move to new places
in search of livelihood? Mera Ration
466) Which Indian Industrialist added the highest wealth
in the world to his fortune in 2021? Gautam Adani
467) World Kidney Day is observed globally on the _______
Thursday of March every year: Second
468) Prime Minister Modi launched the celebrations for
the ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ from which place?
Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
469) Who became the first-ever batsman to score 3,000
runs in T-20 Internationals? Virat Kohli
470) Which team won the Vijay Hazare Trophy for 2021?
Team Mumbai
471) Vijay Hazare Trophy is played in which format of
cricket? 50 over one day
472) Tamil Nadu’s CA Bhavani Devi became the first ever
Indian _______ to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic
Games: Fencer
473) Who became the first player in the world to
complete 7,000 runs in women’s ODI cricket?
Mithali Raj
474) ‘The Lost Soul’ is a novel written by Olga Tokarczuk.
She belongs to which country: Poland
475) The world’s most powerful supercomputer named
“Fugaku” has been developed by which country?
Japan
476) International Day of Mathematics is observed on
March 14. It also commemorates the birthday of a
great mathematician. Who is he? Albert Einstein
477) What is the value of Pi expressed in a fraction? 14/3
478) World Consumer Rights Day is observed on which
day of March month? 15th
479) What is the theme of this year’s World Consumer
Rights Day? Tackle plastic pollution
480) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Virtual
Summit with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of ________
, on March 16: Finland
481) RBI has asked all banks to implement the image-
based Cheque Truncation System (CTS) in all
branches by _________ this year: September 30
482) The UGC has recognised three professional
qualifications as equivalent to post-graduation. Can
you name them? CA, CS, and ICWA
483) Grammy awards are given to recognise excellence in
which field? Music
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
484) Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee Laxman
Pai passed away on March 14. He was a renowned
__________ ? Artist and painter
485) Country’s first ever dedicated Express Cargo
Terminal has been launched at which international
airport? Kempegowda International Airport,
Bengaluru
486) Which country topped the Human Performance
Indicator for Asia Pacific region released by the JLL?
India
487) Which artist created a record of winning highest
number of Grammy awards (28), after winning 4
Grammys this year? Beyonce
488) Which artist won the Grammy this year for the
“Record of the Year”? Billie Eilish
489) The Union Cabinet approved setting up of a
Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an
initial capital infusion of 20 thousand crore rupees
for what purpose? For long-term funding of
infrastructure development projects
490) Who has been appointed as the new Director
General of the National Security Guard? M A
Ganpathy
491) Kuldiep Singh, Sr IPS officer, has been appointed as
the Director General of which para-military force?
CRPF
492) _________ became the first country in Central America
to be certified malaria-free by the World Health
Organization: El Salvador
493) _______ has been adjudged as the world’s most
polluted capital city by World Air Quality Report by
Swiss organisation, IQAir: New Delhi
494) What is the name of the Indian Navy’s first advanced
surveillance ship? INS Dhruv
495) What is the name of the world’s highest honor in
architecture, also known as Nobel of architecture?
Pritzker Architecture Prize
496) Pritzker Architecture Prize for 2021 has been won
by Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. They hail
from which country? France
497) India’s first ordnance factory was established at
which place in 1801? Cossipore, West Bengal
498) What is the theme for this year’s Global Recycling
Day observed on March 18? Recycling Heroes
499) Which International day is observed annually on the
Friday before the March Equinox on the Earth?
World Sleep Day
500) Dr Ajay Mathur has been appointed as the Director
General of which global organization?
International Solar Alliance, Gurugram, Haryana
501) Who is Lloyd J Austin III who arrived in India on
March 19 for a three-day visit? Defence Secretary
of USA
502) International Day of Happiness is observed on
which day of March? 20th
503) What is the theme of this year’s World Sparrow Day
observed on March 20? I love sparrows
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 504) As per the UN World Happiness Report 2021
released on March 19, _______ is the happiest country
to live in the world: Finland
505) What was India’s rank in the UN World Happiness
Report 2021? 139th
506) _________ has been declared as the best state under
the government’s Van Dhan Vikas Yojana: Manipur
507) Which Indian film celebrity has been honoured with
the prestigious Film Archive Award-2021?
Amitabh Bachchan
508) With which firm the Ministry of Defence placed an
order for supply of 4,960 MILAN-2T Anti-Tank
Guided Missiles? Bharat Dynamics Ltd,
Hyderabad
509) Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in as the
first female President of which African country?
Tanzania
510) Mark Rutte won the 2021 parliamentary elections
for the fourth term in a row to become Prime
Minister in which country? Netherlands
511) The Indian Navy undertook the Passage Exercise
(PASSEX) under Operation Sankalp in the Persian
Gulf with the navy of which country? Bahrain
512) Which global organization launched a campaign
named ‘Sahi Disha’ to promote women’s livelihoods
and entrepreneurship in the rural India? UNDP-
United Nations Development Program
513) Who became the first Indian Table Tennis player to
qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games? Achanta
Sharath Kamal
514) What is the theme of this year’s World Water Day
observed on March 22? Valuing Water
515) What is the name of the water conservation
campaign launched by the Prime Minister Modi on
March 22? Catch the Rain Campaign
516) India’s Singhraj won the gold medal in the 2021
_________ World Cup at Al Ain in the UAE: Para
Shooting
517) Who won the men’s singles title at the All-England
Badminton Championships? Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia
518) Nozomi Okuhara won the women’s singles title at
the All-England Badminton Championships. She
represents which country? Japan
519) Government launched an ambitious scheme named
________ for offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs
in rural areas: Gram Ujala
520) The memorial in the honour of great revolutionary
fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev is
located at which place on the banks of River Satluj?
Hussainiwala
521) Which film won the National Award for the ‘Best
Feature Film’ for 2019? Marakkar: Lion of the
Arabian Sea
522) Who won the National Award for the Best Director
for 2019? Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for
Bahattar Hoorain
523) National award for the Best Actress for 2019 has
been won by: Kangana Ranaut
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
524) _____ was declared as the most film friendly state for
2019: Sikkim
525) The Gandhi Peace Prize – 2019 was conferred on
late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. He was former
head of which country? Oman
526) Government of India honoured Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with which prestigious
global award? The Gandhi Peace Prize-2020
527) What is the amount of the cash prize given with the
Gandhi Peace Prize? Rs. One crore
528) According to a study released by defence website
Military Direct on March 21, Indian army is the _____
strongest army of the world: Fourth
529) According to Military Direct, which is the strongest
military force in the world: China
530) Which two other countries are ahead of India in
military force: USA (2nd) and Russia (3rd)
531) World Tuberculosis Day is observed every year on
March 24 to commemorate the discovery of TB on
this day by_________ : Dr. Robert Koch in 1882
532) RBI has decided to grant ‘on-tap’ banking licenses to
Universal banks and Small Finance Banks. What
does ‘on-tap’ mean? RBI will accept applications
and grant banking licenses throughout the year
533) Who was called by the name of Frontier Gandhi?
Late Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (also known as
Badshah Khan)
534) ‘My Life in Full’ is a book written by which corporate
honcho? Indra Nooyi, former CEO of Pepsico
535) The Frontier Gandhi: My Life and Struggle is English
translation of autobiography of which freedom
fighter? Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
536) What is the name of the book recently written by
senior RSS leader Ram Madhav? Because India
Comes First
FEBRUARY 2021
537) Who became Table Tennis Men’s national champion
at the 82nd National Table Tennis Championships in
Panchkula, Haryana? Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
538) The Reserve Bank brought the State Bank of
__________ under its regulation: Sikkim
539) ___________ became the first state in the country to
table a paperless budget in the state assembly on
Feb 22: Uttar Pradesh
540) Which Arabian country has permitted the women of
the country to join the armed forces? Saudi Arabia
541) India’s first Carbon Watch, a mobile app for
assessing carbon footprints has been developed by
which state/UT? Chandigarh
542) Government has approved ____________ toy
manufacturing clusters with investment of Rs 2,300
crore: 8
543) Which state has set up the country's first Digital
University? Kerala
544) What is the name of India’s first Digital University?
Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation
and Technology
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 545) The Indian Army successfully tested the Helina and
Dhruv Astra Missile Systems. They are what type of
missiles? Anti Tank Guided Missiles
546) The Soil Health Card Day is observed on which day
of February? 19th
547) The World Social Justice Day is observed on Feb 20
with the support of which UN agency?
International Labour Organization
548) Government launched the Go Electric Campaign to
boost the adoption of which items? Electric
mobility vehicles and electric cooking
appliances
549) Government launched the Intensified Mission
Indradhanush 3.0 (IMI 3.0) for what purpose? To
expand immunization coverage across the
nation
550) The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy
conducted bilateral military exercise PASSEX on Feb
18 in which area? Arabian Sea
551) Which Indian company indigenously made K-9
Vajra-T 155 mm/ 52 calibre self-propelled guns for
Indian Army? Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
552) International Mother Language Day is observed on
which day? February 21
553) The second Khelo India University Games will be
hosted by which state? Karnataka
554) The week-long 47th Khajuraho Dance Festival was
held in which state from Feb 20 to 26? Madhya
Pradesh
555) Australian Open Grand Slam was held in which
Australian city? Melbourne
556) Who won men’s singles title at the Australian Open?
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
557) ___________ won the Australian Open Women’s singles
title: Naomi Osaka
558) The book Rashtra Pratham - 82 Varshon Ki Swarnim
Gatha is the life story of which para military force?
CRPF
559) ‘Unfinished: A Memoir’ is the autobiography of
which Indian cinema celebrity? Priyanka Chopra
Jonas
560) What is the title of the recent book by the Tibetan
spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama? The Little Book of
Encouragement
561) Central Excise Day is observed on Feb 24 to mark
the enactment of which act that was enacted on this
day in 1944? Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944
562) National Science Day is observed on Feb 28 to mark
which scientific recovery on this day in 1928?
Raman Effect by Sir C V Raman
563) Sir C V Raman was awarded Nobel Prize in 1930 in
which field? Physics
564) Government launched the National Urban Digital
Mission aimed at providing an online platform for
what purpose? For creating a platform for
citizen-centric governance
565) Which bank approved a $ 304 million dollar loan for
Assam Intra-State Transmission System
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
Enhancement Project? The Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank (AIIB)
566) The World Bank granted a $68 million support to
improve the quality of education in which state?
Nagaland
567) The 30th Adriatic Pearl Boxing Tournament was
held in Budva. It is in which country? Montenegro
568) Which film won the Golden Peacock Award for the
best film at the 51stInternational Film Festival of
India (IFFI) in Goa? “Into the Darkness” directed
by Anders Refn
569) Director Anders Refn hails from which country?
Denmark
570) What is the cash amount given in the Golden
Peacock Award? Rs. 40 lakh
571) Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
is given for outstanding performance in which field?
Disaster management
572) Who is the winner of this year’s Subhash Chandra
Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar in individual
category? Dr. Rajendra Kumar Bhandari
573) What is the amount of cash award won by Dr.
Rajendra Kumar Bhandari? Rs. Five lakh
574) 10thNational Ice Hockey Championship was held at
which place? Gulmarg, J&K
575) Which team won the 10thNational Ice Hockey
Championship? Indo-Tibetan Border Police
(ITBP)
576) The longest road arch bridge in India - the Wahrew
Bridge has been built in which state? Meghalaya
577) The Wahrew Bridge in East Khasi Hills district of
Meghalaya has been built across which river?
Wahrew
578) A rocket from which US aerospace company created
a new record by launching 143 satellites at a time
into space? SpaceX
579) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the ‘Shram
Shakti’ portal to collect data related to the ___________
workers? Tribal migrant
580) The Gujarat Government plans to set up India’s
largest multi-modal logistics park in which city?
Ahmadabad
581) The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons (TPNW) came into effect from which date?
January 22, 2021
582) Is India a signatory to the UN Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? No
583) Which state launched door delivery of rice to ration
card holders across the state? Andhra Pradesh
584) India’s top civilian awards, Padma awards are
approved by which authority? President of India
585) Which union ministry makes recommendations for
the Padma Awards? Ministry of Home Affairs
586) How many Padma Awards have been declared this
year? 119
587) Who is the only foreign dignitary to be honoured
this year with Padma Vibhushan? Shinzo Abe,
former PM of Japan
97
 588) Maximum how many Padma awards can be declared
in total in one year (excluding awards given
posthumously and to foreigners)? 120
589) Who is the winner of the only MahaVir Chakra
declared this year? Colonel B Santosh Babu
590) Colonel B Santosh Babu has been decorated with the
Maha Vir Chakra for display of outstanding gallantry
in which area? Galwan Valley
591) The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 has placed
India at which rank? Seventh
592) Which were the two most affected countries in 2019
as per the Global Climate Risk Index 2021?
Mozambique and Zimbabwe
593) The South-East Central Railways created a new
record by successfully operating the world’s longest
ever freight train in which state? Chhattisgarh
594) BSF launched "Operation Sard Hawa" from Jan 21 to
27 to increase security on the borders in which
area? Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
595) As per a recent survey by the Munich-based Ifo
institute, which country recoded highest trade
surplus in 2020? China
596) As per a recent survey by the Munich-based Ifo
institute, which country recoded highest trade
deficit in 2020? USA
597) A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise
AMPHEX – 21 was conducted in which area from
January 21-25? Andaman & Nicobar Islands
598) Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa won a second five-year
term after winning the 2021 Presidential election
with a landslide victory in which country? Portugal
599) The International Customs Day is celebrated on
which date? January 26
600) The DRDO conducted a successful maiden launch of
which missile from Integrated Test Range off the
coast of Odisha.Akash-NG (New Generation) -----
upto 28/1
601) Kaja Kallas has been elected as the first female
President of which country? Estonia, Central
Europe
602) The Election Commission rolled out the electronic
version of the voters’ photo identity card e-EPIC.
What is EPIC? Electoral photo identity card
603) Which Indian company has been ranked 5th on
Brand Finance’s Global 500 ranking of the strongest
brands globally? Reliance Jio
604) Which global financial bodyapproved a $500 million
programme to support Strengthening Teaching-
Learning and Results for States Programme
(STARS) of India? The World Bank
605) The Corruption Perception Index, 2020, released by
Berlin based NGO Transparency International has
placed India at which rank? 86th
606) Which country topped the Corruption Perception
Index, 2020? New Zealand and Denmark, jointly
607) According to the National Science Foundation, USA,
India is at which rank in terms of number of
scientific articles published in 2018? Third
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
608) World Wetlands Day is observed on which day of
February? 2nd
609) Out of Mulberry, Eri, Chanderi, Tassar, and Muga –
which one is NOT a variety of Silk? Chanderi
610) In which South Asian country military executed a
coup on Feb 1 after arresting the top political
leaders? Myanmar
611) Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy
on Jan 31? Tamil Nadu
612) Which word has been named by Oxford Languages
as its Hindi word of the year 2020?
Aatmanirbharta
613) Badminton World Tour Finals were played on Jan 31
in which city? Bangkok
614) Who won women’s singles title at the Badminton
World Tour Finals? Tai Tzu Ying (China)
615) Men’s singles title at the Badminton World Tour
Finals was won by: Anders Antonsen, Denmark
616) The BCCI has decided to not to conduct which
national tournament for the first time in its history
of 87 years? Ranji Trophy
617) The Finance Minister announced launch of Pradhan
Mantri Bharat ________ __________ Yojana to develop
primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare
systems? Atmanirbhar Swasth
618) Asia’s biggest aero show “Aero India-2021” was
held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in which city?
Bengaluru
619) The defence ministers of 27 countries from Indian
Ocean region participated in a conclave held at
________ in first week of February: Bengaluru
620) A team of researchers from five institutes across
India have discovered a new gecko species in which
state? Arunachal Pradesh
621) Which state government launched the year long
Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations here on Feb
4? Bihar
622) Ajay Singh has been re-elected as President of the
___________ Federation of India: Boxing
623) According to the Democracy Index 2020 released by
the Economist Intelligence Unit, London, India
secured __________ rank in the Index: 53rd
624) What is the theme of this year’s World Cancer Day
observed on Feb 4? I am and I will
625) India established its first centre for wetland
conservation in which place? Chennai
626) The United States has extended the New START
(Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) nuclear arms
control treaty with which country? Russia
627) The New START has been extended for haw many
years? Five
628) District Shravasti topped in the ranking of
aspirational districts done by the Niti Aayog in
December 2020. It is in which state? Uttar Pradesh
629) The ministry of corporate affairs has allowed non-
resident Indians (NRIs) to incorporate OPCs. What
is OPC? One Person Company
98
 630) Which country topped the medal tally at the first
Asian Online Shooting Championship hosted online
by Kuwait? India
631) ___________ _________ has become the first State in the
country to make the end to end processing of the
cabinet paperless by implementing e-cabinet
application: Himachal Pradesh
632) Union Environment Ministry approved the Lakhwar
electricity project in which district of Uttarakhand?
Dehradun
633) The Lakhwar electricity project is being constructed
on which river? Yamuna
634) YudhAbhyas 20, the India-US joint military exercise
was held in Mahajan Field Firing Range in which
state? Rajasthan
635) India's first ever geothermal power project will be
established at Puga village in which area? Eastern
Ladakh
636) In which state a glacier burst caused widespread
devastation on Feb 7? Uttarakhand
637) For the first time in the history of CRPF, a contingent
of 34 CRPF women personnel was inducted into
which of its units? CoBRA
638) What is the full form of CoBRA? Commando
Battalion for Resolute Action
639) Who has been appointed as the head of the National
Safety Council by the Labour Ministry? S N
Subrahmanyan
640) Which country plans to build the world's first
energy island in the North Sea? Denmark
641) Government has enhanced the agricultural credit
target to ________ lakh crore rupees for the year
2021-22: 16.5
642) With which country India signed a MoU for the
construction of Shahtoot dam project? Afghanistan
643) The Shahtoot dam project is to be built across which
river? Kabul
644) Who has been honoured as the Global Citizenship
Ambassador by the Northeastern University Center
for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, Boston, USA?
Sri Sri Ravishankar
645) Who won the inaugural ICC Player of the Month
award 2021? Rishabh Pant
646) With which neighbouring country India recently
inaugurated a newly constructed 108-kilometre
road? Nepal
647) The Ministry of Agriculture launched a new Central
Sector Scheme titled 'Formation and Promotion of
10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations FPOs'. What
is a FPO? Farmer Produce Organization
648) Which country signed a $43 billion agreement to
build the world's largest offshore wind farm? South
Korea
649) With which Indian firm UNICEF, Paris entered into a
long-term supply agreement for the
AstraZeneca/Oxford and the Novavax vaccines?
Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune
650) Novavax vaccines are the product of which country?
USA
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
651) India's first centralised AC railway terminal is about
to be operational by February end in which city?
Bengaluru
652) According to the latest Bloomberg Innovation Index,
which country is the most innovative nation? South
Korea
653) India has been placed at which rank in the latest
Bloomberg Innovation Index? 50th
654) Who is the top winner of VLCC Femina Miss India
World 2020? Manasa Varanasi
655) Which iconic historical monument in the Indian
capital completed 100 years of its foundation laying
on Feb 10? India Gate
656) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans
to set up India's first thunderstorm research testbed
at _____________, Odisha: Balasore
657) The National Deworming Day is observed two times
in a year on which dates? Feb 10 and August 10
658) Which UN agency supports the celebration of the
World Pulses Day on Feb 10? Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
659) The Unani Day is celebrated every year on Feb 11 to
mark the birth anniversary of Hakim _________
________: Ajmal Khan
660) The Unani medicine is based on the philosophy of
which Greek thinker? Hippocrates
661) ISRO has tied up with which digital mapping and
location-based deep-tech company to offer a fully
indigenous, mapping portal and related geospatial
services? MapmyIndia
662) Which national day is observed on Feb 12 to
commemorate the establishment of a council on this
day in 1958, based on its name? National
Productivity Day
663) What is the three pronged theme for this year’s
World Radio Day? Evolution, Innovation,
Connection
664) India celebrates National Women's Day on Feb 13 to
commemorate the birthday of which great Indian
woman? Sarojini Naidu
665) What was the popular sobriquet attributed to
Sarojini Naidu? Bharat Kokila
666) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the country's
first CNG tractor on Feb 12. What is CNG?
Compressed Natural Gas
667) The Tamil film “Koozhangal” won “Tiger” award for
the best film at the 50th edition of the _____________
International Film Festival: Rotterdam
668) The Export-Import Bank of India has approved a
$400 million credit a mega connectivity project in
which country? Maldives
669) Which country conducted a successful training
launch of the surface to surface ballistic cruise
missile ‘Babur’? Pakistan
670) Mario Draghi has been sworn in as the new Prime
Minister of which European country? Italy
671) The World Bankapproved a $100 million support
for CHIRAAG project in which state? Chhattisgarh
99
 672) Indian Army placed an order for 118 indigenously
manufactured Arjun Mark 1-A tanks. What is its
popular name? Hunter Killer
673) Arjun Mark 1-A tanks are built at the Indian
Ordnance Factory’s production facility at which
place? Avadi, Chennai
674) The Indian National Congress named which party
veteran as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya
Sabha? Mallikarjun Kharge
675) Who has been selected as the new Director General
of the International Solar Alliance? Dr. Ajay
Mathur
676) Who became the first player in the 143-year history
of Test cricket to take 200 wickets against left-
handed batsmen? Ravichandran Ashwin
677) RBI formed a committee headed by ____________ for
drawing a vision document to strengthen urban co-
operative banks: N S Vishwanathan
678) Who has been named as the new Director General of
the World Trade Organisation? Ngozi Okonjo-
Iweala
679) Which state launched the ‘Free Gift Milk to Girl
Students’ initiative? Sikkim
680) Dr. Kiran Bedi, former IPS Officer has been removed
from the post of Lieutenant Governor of which UT?
Puducherry
681) Which State’s Chief Minister has been honoured
with the Skoch Chief Minister of the Year Award?
Andhra Pradesh
682) Who is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh? Y. S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy
683) In which state at least 51 persons, including 20
women, were killed when a bus skidded off the road
and plunged into a canal? Madhya Pradesh
684) The government launched an online portal _________
to offer civil services in 62 Cantonments Boards
across the country: e-Chhawani
685) The Indian Navy got its third indigenously built
Scorpene Submarine on Feb 15. What is its name?
INS Karanj
686) Name the former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand
and eminent jurist, who passed away on February
16 in Bengaluru: Justice (Retd) M Rama Jois
687) At which place three fossils of the world’s earliest
known living animal- the 550 million years old
Dickinsonia- have been discovered by the
researchers? Bhimbetka rock shelters, Madhya
Pradesh
688) In which US state millions of people suffered in
extreme cold as a severe winter storm snapped
electricity supply? Texas
689) Which country hosted a virtual health secretary-
level meeting with other SAARC countries on
February 18 to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 crisis?
India
690) The Union Cabinet approved the signing of
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and
Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with which
country? Mauritius
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
691) The Ministry of Education has decided to name
residential schools and hostels funded under
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as _______ : Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose residential schools and hostels
692) The Food and Agriculture Organization and the
Arbor Day Foundation have recognized ____________
as a 2020 Tree City of World: Hyderabad
693) The American space agency NASA successfully
landed its fifth rover named __________ on Mars on
Feb 18: Perseverance
694) Who won her second women’s national title at the
82nd Senior National Table Tennis Championships?
Manika Batra
695) The National Informatics Centre has launched an
instant messaging platform called _________ : Sandes
696) The Exim Bank extended a line of credit (LOC)
of $15 million to which country for improving
potable water facilities? Sierra Leone
JANUARY 2021
697) India’s first ever driverless train operations were
flagged off on ________ Metro’s Magenta Line: Delhi
698) Indian and Vietnamese Navy concluded the two-day
naval passage exercise on Dec 26-27 in which area?
South China Sea
699) Which Football player won the FIFA Player of the
Century Award? Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal
700) NITI Aayog launched India’s first Digital Asset
Management and Storage platform, called _________:
‘DigiBoxx’
701) Who won the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male
Cricketer of the Decade? Virat Kohli
702) Who won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC
Female Cricketer of the Decade? Ellyse Perry
(Australia)
703) India's first hot air balloon safari in a tiger reserve
was launched on December 25 in which national
park? Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya
Pradesh
704) Which Municipal Corporation has been announced
as the best performing civic body in India? Greater
Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Andhra
Pradesh
705) The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is
observed every year on ____ day of December: 27th
706) The India Meteorological Department opened its
highest Meteorological Centre located at 3,500
metres above sea level at which place? Leh, Ladakh
707) ____________ has become the first wrestler of the
country to win silver at the Individual Wrestling
World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia: Anshu Malik
708) Name the French fashion king who made his name
by selling designer clothes to the masses, who died
aged 98: Pierre Cardin
709) As per an international report which country
suffered maximum loss of lives in the world due to
climate change-triggered events in 2020? India
710) Which is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer
by doses? Serum Institute of India, Pune
100
 711) What is the name of India’s first indigenously
developed pneumococcal vaccine? Pneumosil
712) Government launched which portal and mobile app
to connect with Indian Diaspora across the world?
The Global Pravasi Rishta
713) The government has approved the export of which
indigenously built missile system?Akash
714) The entire state of ____________ was declared a
disturbed area for another six more months from
Dec 30: Nagaland
715) What is the name of India’s first indigenously
designed and developed Air Dropped Container?
SAHAYAK-NG
716) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, 1985 batch IPS officer has
been appointed the Director General of which para-
military force? Central Industrial Security Force
(CISF)
717) Winner of the Scientist of the Year Award,senior
scientist Hemant Kumar Pandey hails from which
apex organization? DRDO
718) Who has been elected as the youngest mayor of
India in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation,
Kerala? Arya Rajendran
719) Which F1 driver has been honoured with the
Knighthood in Britain? Lewis Hamilton
720) Country’s first Pollinator Park was thrown open to
the public in _____________ in Uttarakhand: Haldwani
721) Who has been appointed as the new Railway Board
Chairman and CEO? Suneet Sharma
722) The AsianDevelopment Bank cleared a $ 231 million
loan to augment electricity generation capacity in
which state? Assam
723) Name the veteran Congress leader and former
Union home minister who passed away at AIIMS,
New Delhi: Buta Singh
724) Winner of Eminent Engineer Award-2020, V.K.
Yadav, is Chairman & CEO of which apex
organization? Railway Board
725) Which is the first private company to successfully
test-fire the technology demonstration version of
their solid fuelled propulsion rocket motor?
Skyroot Aerospace, Hyderabad
726) What is the name of India’s first private sector solid
fuelled propulsion rocket motor? Kalam-5
727) Which apex organisation has unveiled an e-
commerce portal — eKhadiIndia.com? Khadi and
Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
728) World Braille Day is celebrated on Jan 4 to
commemorate the birth anniversary of which great
personality? Louis Braille
729) How many convex dots are used in the Braille
language that forms all the letters and symbols? Six
730) The Reserve Bank of India launched _________________
Index to measure the extent of digitisation of
payments in India: Digital Payments
731) Which billionaire has zoomed to the second spot in
the Bloomberg Billionaires Index-2021? Elon Musk
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
732) Billionaire Elon Musk is associated with which
business? Tesla Motors, USA
733) A 450-km natural gas pipeline between ________ in
Kerala and Mangaluru in Karnataka, was
inaugurated on Jan 5: Kochi
734) The National Metrology Conclave 2021 was
organised by the CSIR &National Physical
Laboratory. Metrology is associated with which
field? Weight and measures
735) Alexander Ellis has been appointed as the new
British High Commissioner to which country? India
736) India’s 40th Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was
launched from _______ on Jan 4: Goa
737) Which Bank raised $1-billion through a ten year
bond issue to provide support to overseas Indian
projects and investment? EXIM Bank
738) The Reserve Bank operationalised its Payments
Infrastructure Development Fund on Dec 5 for what
purpose? For promoting digital payments
739) The Asian Development Banksanctioned a $100
million loan to modernise and upgrade the power
distribution system in which city? Bengaluru city
740) The World Bank approved a $105 million project
support to improve inland waterways in which
state? West Bengal
741) The World Meteorological Organisation, Geneva
awarded the status of the “Centennial Observing
Station” to which Meteorological Centre in India?
Patna
742) Which special force inducted the first batch of over
100 women calamity combatants and rescuers?
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
743) Headquarters of the Exim Bank are located in which
city? Mumbai
744) World’s largest solar energy project of 600 MW is
being set up in the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam
on___________ River: Narmada
745) Omkareshwar dam project is located in which state?
Madhya Pradesh
746) Which global Bank approved a $105 million project
support to improve inland waterways in West
Bengal? The World Bank
747) The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO),
Geneva awarded the status of the “Centennial
Observing Station” to which Indian Meteorological
Centre? Patna
748) What is the name of the inter-ministerial venture
launched to conceptualize innovative toys based on
the Indian value system? Toycathon
749) RBI has made use of the Legal Entity Identifiers-LEI
mandatory for all fund transfers worth Rs. _____:
50crore and above
750) LEI is a unique identification code comprising of ____
digits: 20
751) Which organization brings out the Global Economic
Prospects Report? World Bank
752) Faustin-Archange Touadera has been re-elected as
the President of Central __________ Republic: African
101
 753) World Day of War Orphans is observed on which
day of January? 6th
754) What is the cash prize given in the National Florence
Nightingale Award? Rs. 50,000
755) As per the data released by the National Statistical
Office (NSO) on Jan 7, India’s gross domestic
product (GDP) is expected to contract by _________ %
in fiscal 2020-21: 7.7
756) The NewDevelopment Bank, Shanghai signed loan
agreements worth $646 million with the
Government of India for two road projects in which
Indian State? Andhra Pradesh
757) Which is the first urban co-operative bank in India
to receive a license from RBI to operate as a Small
Finance Bank? The Shivalik Mercantile Co-
operative Bank, Saharanpur
758) Claire Polosak scripted history on Jan 7 by becoming
the first female ___________ in the 144 year old history
of men's Test matches: Match official
759) Claire Polosak hails from which country? Australia
760) Hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters
stormed which building on Jan 6 in a stunning bid to
overturn his election defeat? US Capitol
761) Celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9
marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 from
which country? South Africa
762) World Hindi Day is observed on January 10 to mark
the holding of which event for the first time in 1975?
World Hindi Conference
763) The National Hindi Diwas is observed on which
date? Sep 14
764) Who was the Chief Guest for the celebrations of this
year’s PravasiBharatiya Divas? Chandrikapersad
Santokhi
765) Who is Sh.Chandrikapersad Santokhi? President of
Suriname
766) What was the theme of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas? Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat
767) Indian Navy coordinated the second edition of the
largest coastal defence exercise named ____________ :
Sea Vigil-21
768) Naval defence exercise Sea Vigil-21 was conducted
at which place? All along the Indian coast and EEZ
(Exclusive Economic Zone)
769) EEZ is an area of the sea in which a sovereign state
has special rights regarding the exploration and use
of marine resources. It extends up to what limit:
200 nautical miles (370.4 km)
770) Which organization has offered to adopt one
hundred Atal Tinkering Labs to promote Space
Education and related innovations for school
students? Indian Space Research Organisation,
ISRO
771) Which organization looks after the functioning of
Atal Tinkering Labs? NITI Aayog
772) National Youth Day is observed on January 12to
commemorate the birth anniversary of which great
personality? Swami Vivekananda
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
773) What was the original of Swami Vivekananda?
Narendra Nath Datta
774) Who was the Guru of of Swami Vivekananda?
Ramakrishna Paramhansa
775) The Henley’s passport index has retained ____________
on top of passport rankings among 199 passports of
the world: Japan
776) The Indian passport was placed at which rank in the
Henley’s Passport Index?85
777) Four times Chief Minister of Gujarat and two times
union minister from Gujarat passed away on Jan 9.
Who was he? Madhavsinh Solanki
778) The Cherry Blossom Mao Festival was held on Jan 9
in Mao town of Senapati district of which state?
Manipur
779) Government has approved procurement of 83 Tejas
LCA worth about Rs 48,000 crore. What is LCA?
Light Combat Aircraft
780) Which company will supply 83 Tejas LCA to Indian
Air Force? Hindustan Aeronautics Limited,
Bengaluru
781) Makar Sankranti is celebrated by which name in
Gujarat?Uttarayan
782) State of Assam celebrates Makar Sankranti in the
form of which festival? Magh Bihu
783) India’s first ever ice climbing festival was held in
Nubra valley in which place? Leh, Ladakh
784) According to a recent government survey, Tirthan
Wildlife Sanctuary and Great Himalayan National
Park were declared the best. They are in which
place? Kullu, HP
785) Which country organised the fourth ‘One Planet
Summit’, through video conferencing on January
11? France
786) SadyrJaparov, former Prime Minister of
______________ has been elected as the new President
of the country: Kyrgyzstan
787) Which National Day is celebrated on Jan 15 to mark
the taking over of command of Indian Army by then
Lt Gen K M Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-
in-Chief? Army Day
788) Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest
known cave art, some 45,500 years old, in which
country? Indonesia
789) The Reserve Bank has set up a working group
headed by Jayant Kumar Dash, Executive Director,
RBI for what purpose? To review the functioning
of digital lending
790) As per the International Migration Report 2020
released by the UN's Population Division, __________
has the world's largest Diaspora: India
791) Which country is host to the largest number of
migrants in the world? USA
792) What is the name of the India’s first indigenous 9mm
machine pistol developed by DRDO? Asmi
793) Which Indian ministry won the SKOCH Challenger
Award for outstanding performance in e-
Governance? Ministry of Tribal Affairs
102
 794) International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on
16th January in Goa. It was which edition of the
festival? 51st
795) Who was the head of the jury at the 51st IFFI? Pablo
Cesar of Argentina
796) Which was the country of focus at the 51 st IFFI?
Bangladesh
797) To spur entrepreneurship across the Nation, the
government announced Startup India Seed Fund
Scheme with a corpus of Rs.________ crore: 1,000
798) A unicorn startup is one with a valuation of
____________ dollar and above: One billion
799) In Indonesia a powerful earthquake
rocked ____________ island, killing at least 92 people:
Sulawesi
800) Who was the renowned Indian classical musician of
Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana who breathed his last at
his Mumbai residence on Jan 17? Ustad Mustafa
Khan
801) Ustad Mustafa Khan was honoured with which of
the national Awards - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan,
Padma Vibhushan? All three
802) What does letter ‘R’stands for in the abbreviation
PCRA? Research
803) What is the name of the one month long awareness
campaign launched by the PCRA on Jan16?
SAKSHAM
804) The Department of Science and Technology,
Government of India, opened which portal to the
general public? National Innovation Portal
805) ICICI Bank has tied up with Niyo to issue prepaid
cards ‘ICICI Bank Niyo Bharat Payroll Card’ to which
segment of customers? The blue collar workers of
MSMEs
806) What is the name of the bike ambulances launched
by the DRDO for the CRPF? Rakshita
807) Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has
announced that India's new Foreign Trade Policy
will come into effect from April 1, 2021 for which
period? 2021 to 26
808) The new Foreign Trade Policy aims to make India a
$______ trillion economy by boosting exports: Five
809) President of which African country scored a decisive
election victory in third week of January to win a
record sixth term as the President?Uganda
810) Who has won the sixth term as President in Uganda?
Yoweri Museveni
811) Which city hosted the Yonex Thailand Open – 2021
Badminton Tournament? Bangkok
812) India’s first Labour Movement Museum is to be
launched in ___________ in Kerala: Alappuzha
813) Indian Air Force and French Air and Space
Force conducted a five day (Jan 20 to 24) bilateral
Air exercise at which place? Air Force Station,
Jodhpur
814) What was the name of the 5 day joint Indo-French
air exercise held in Jodhpur? Ex Desert Knight-21
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
815) Dr. V. Shanta, the world renowned__________ passed
away due to brief illness in Chennai: Oncologist
816) An oncologist specializes in which field of medicine?
Cancer treatment
817) India created history by winning series against
Australia. Where was the fourth and final match
played? Brisbane
818) Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal
Nishank was recently felicitated with which
international honour in literature? Canada Sahitya
Gaurav
819) The 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project is to be
built on which river? Chenab
820) The Ratle Hydro Electric Project is to be built in
which state/UT? J&K
821) NITI Aayog released the second edition of the India
Innovation Index-2020. Which major state topped
the index? Karnataka
822) Which small state or UT stood first in the India
Innovation Index-2020? Delhi
823) Which state topped the India Innovation Index-
2020 in the North East and Hill States category?
Himachal Pradesh
824) Indian Defence Forces conducted which joint
exercise in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to
explore the synergy of all the four forces? Exercise
Kavach
825) The first phase of the pan-India roll out of the
COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on which
date? January 16
826) What is the name of the covid vaccine developed and
produced indigenously in India? Covaxin
827) What is the name of the covid vaccine being
produced in India by the Serum Institute of India,
Pune? Covishield
828) Covishield vaccine has been developed by whom?
University of Oxford and AstraZeneca
829) Which mobile app has been developed by the
Central government to ensure smooth
implementation of Covid vaccination across the
country? CoWIN
830) Joe Biden was sworn in as the _____ President of USA
on Jan 20: 46th
831) New US President has declared that the USA will re-
join international organization ______: WHO –
World Health Organisation
832) USA has announced that it will not boycott the
_____________ Accord: Paris Climate
833) India’s first ever Winter Sports Festival was held
under the Khelo India initiative at which place?
Zanskar in district Kargil of Ladakh
834) Name the Indian who won the 2021 Michael and
Sheila Held Prize given for outstanding and
innovative research in mathematics: Nikhil
Srivastava
835) Government has decided to celebrate Jan 23,
birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as which
national day? Parakram Diwas
103
 836) Indian Railways has decided to rename one of its
oldest trains -- Howrah-Kalka Mail. What’s the new
name? Netaji Express
837) Airtel Payments Bank launched which new
innovative feature to protect Airtel customers from
the growing incidents of online payment frauds?
Airtel SafePay
838) Which ministry announced the establishment of a
first of its kind Quantum Computing Applications
Lab in India? Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology
839) Quantum Computing Applications Lab will be
established with technical collaboration with which
global tech venture? Amazon Web Services
840) The Reserve Bank declared the continuation of the
D-SIB (Domestic Systemically Important Banks)
status for which three Indian Banks for the year
2020? ICICI Bank, State Bank of India and HDFC
Bank
841) Global Firepower ranked India at which rank in
terms of Military Strength? Fourth
842) What is Pakistan’s rank in the Military Strength
Ranking released by the Global Firepower? Tenth
843) India celebrates National Girl Child Day on which
date? January 24
844) The International Day of Girl Child is observed on
which date? October 11
845) Which day of January is celebrated as the
International Day of Education? 24th
846) In India which day has been selected to be observed
as the National Education Day? November 11
847) The Election Commission of India came into
existence on Jan 25, 1950. Which national day is
observed to commemorate this day? National
Voters Day
848) Internationally, World Leprosy Day is observed on
which day? Last Sunday of January
849) Leprosy is also known as _________ disease: Hansen’s
850) Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on Jan 31 in
1948. This day is nationally observed as which day?
Martyrs Day/Anti Leprosy Day
851) The Commonwealth of Cricketis a recent book
written by whom?Ramchandra Guha
852) What is the title of the recent novel authored by
Rachel Hawkins? The Wife Upstairs
853) Gazing Eastwardsis a book written by which noted
historian? Romila Thapar
854) What is the title of the recent book written by S Y
Quraishi, former CEC of India? The Population
Myth: Islam, Family Planning and Politics in
India
855) According to the annual World Cooperative Monitor
Report, 2020, which Indian cooperative ranked
number one in terms of ratio of turnover over the
per capita GDP? IFFCO-- Indian Farmers
Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd.
856) Which cooperative has been declared as the biggest
cooperative in the world in terms of annual
turnover? Groupe Crédit Agricole of France
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
857) Name the popular iconic bhajan singer from
Amritsar who passed away in New Delhi: Narendra
Chanchal
858) DRDO successfully conducted a captive and release
trial of indigenously developed SAAW from Hawk-i
aircraft. Expand the term SAAW: Smart Anti-
Airfield Weapon
859) The government has raised the authorised capital of
which Bank to Rs.10,000 crore from Rs. 3,000 crore
at present? Punjab & Sind Bank
DECEMBER 2020
860) Bharat Dynamics Ltd. Hyderabad handed over its
first Heavy Weight Torpedo to the Indian Navy.
What is its name? Varunastra
861) What is the strike range of Varunastra? 40 kms
862) Recently, a bioluminescent or light emitting variety
of mushroom has been discovered in forests of
which state? Meghalaya
863) International Day For The Elimination Of Violence
Against Women is celebrated on which day?
November 25
864) National Milk Day is observed on Nov 26 to mark the
birth anniversary of which great pioneer of milk
industry? Dr. Verghese Kurien
865) World Milk Day is observed around the world on
which date? June 01.
866) The Constitution Day celebrated on Nov 26 is also
known as __________ Day: National Law Day
867) Which national day is observed on Nov 27 to
promote organ donation? Indian Organ Donation
Day
868) Name the Congress veteran and AICC treasurer who
passed away on Nov 25: Ahmed Patel
869) The 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting was held on Nov
20 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of
which country? Malaysia
870) Which country will host APEC summit in 2021?
New Zealand
871) Name the strong tropical cyclone from the south
west Bay of Bengal which crossed the Tamil Nadu-
Puducherry coasts on Nov 25: Nivar
872) World Heritage Weekis celebrated every year from
Nov 19-25 with the support of which UN agency?
UNESCO
873) Name the Argentinean football legend who passed
away on Nov25: Diego Maradona
874) Who has been elected as the new independent
chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC),
Dubai? Greg Barclay
875) Which web series has become first from India to win
the Best Drama Series award at the 48th
International Emmy Awards, 2020? Delhi Crime
876) Which film has been selected as India's official entry
for the 93rd Academy Awards - Oscarsin the
foreign-language film category? Jallikattu
877) Jallikattu film has been made in which language?
Malyalam
104
 878) Which Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh bagged the
international award TX2? Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
879) Pilibhit Tiger Reserve won the TX2 award for which
achievement? For more than doubling the
number of tigers in the past four years, from 25
to 65.
880) The 10th edition of the prestigious National Science
Film Festival was held from 24 to 27 November with
association of which state? Tripura
881) In which country Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Member of
Parliament (MP) created history by becoming the
first Indian-origin parliamentarian to take oath in
Sanskrit language on foreign land? New Zealand
882) Faqir Chand Kohli passed away due to a heart attack
on November 26 at his residence in Mumbai. He was
known as the “Father of ______ Industry”: IT
883) Faqir Chand Kohli was the first CEO of which major
IT company? TCS – Tata Consultancy Services
884) According to data by the NSO on Nov 27, the Indian
economy contracted by ____ per cent in the quarter
ending Sep 30: 7.5
885) Which country has been ranked at the top in the
final rankings list for 2020, released by FIFA on
November 27? Belgium
886) Russia has selected which Indian drug company to
manufacture Sputnik V Corona vaccine in India?
Hetero Drugs, Hyderabad
887) Govt has approved the construction of the Song Dam
Drinking Water Project worth Rs 1100 crore in
which state? Uttarakhand
888) Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been re-elected as
the President of Burkina Faso, a small landlocked
country in _____________ ? Western Africa
889) Cambridge Dictionary has named __________ as Word
of the Year 2020: ‘Quarantine’
890) Which Indian short film has been selected as India's
official entry at the 93rd Academy Awards
(Oscars)in the 'Live Action Short Film' category?
Shameless
891) Who from India chaired the 19th meeting of SCO
Council of Heads of Government Meeting in virtual
format? Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu
892) How many countries are the members of SCO?
Eight
893) Who is the Secretary General of SCO? Valadimir
Norov
894) A commemorative coin of Rs. 100 was released to
mark the centennial foundation day of which
university? University of Lucknow
895) MQ-9B Sea Guardian, unarmed version of the deadly
Predator series was recently inducted into Indian
Navy. What it is? Drone
896) Which country has supplied MQ-9B Sea Guardian
drone to India? USA
897) Where in India the largest Solar Project is being set
up at a high altitude place? Air Force Station, Leh.
898) Which bank became the first bank in India to cross
Rs. 8 trillion in market capitalization? HDFC Bank
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
899) The first coal-based power plant of Arab Gulf
countries is being developed in Saih Shuaib, in
which country? UAE
900) Which batsman recently created a new record for
becoming the fastest batsman to complete 22,000
runs? Virat Kohli
901) December 1 is observed as the World AIDS Day.
Which virus causes AIDS? HIV - human
immunodeficiency virus
902) RBI has increased the timings for RTGS transactions
wef Dec 14, 2020. What are the new timings? 24X7
– round the clock – all the days
903) During April-September 2020, India attracted
highest amount of FDI from which country?
Singapore
904) India's first indigenously developed 100 Octane
premium petrol was launched recently under which
brand name? XP-100
905) Which public sector oil marketing company has
launched XP_100 petrol? Indian Oil Corporation
Limited
906) ____________ become the first country in the world to
approve the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine:
Britain
907) Nongpok Sekmai police station has been chosen as
the best performing Police Station in the country. It
is in which state? Manipur
908) The Reserve Bank has asked which Bank to
temporarily stop all launches of the 'Digital Business
generating activities’? HDFC Bank
909) India's spice king and a noted philanthropist, owner
of MDH spices, passed away on Dec 3. What was his
name? Mahashay Dharampal Gulati
910) What is the full form of MDH? Mahashian di Hatti
911) Researchers at which university have created the
world’s smallest memory device: University of
Texas, USA
912) International Day of Persons with Disabilities, also
called World Disability Day is observed on which
date? December 3
913) December 2is observed as the National Pollution
Control Day. It is associated with which big
industrial disaster? Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Dec 2-3,
1984
914) What was the name of the highly poisonous gas
leakage of which in Bhopal claimed over 6,000 lives
in 1984? Methyl Iso-cyanate – MIC
915) Utpal Kumar Singh has been appointed as
____________ of Lok Sabha with effect from 1
December: Secretary-General
916) Who appoints the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha?
Lok Sabha Speaker
917) The 21st edition of the famous Hornbill Festival was
held in virtual mode in which state? Nagaland
918) According to US Air Quality Index`s data released on
Dec 1, _________ is the most polluted city in the world:
Lahore
105
 919) As per the Global Terrorism Index 2020, ________ is
the most impacted country by terrorism, for the
second year in a row: Afghanistan
920) What was India’s rank as per the Global Terrorism
Index 2020? 8th
921) Merriam-Webster, America's most trusted online
dictionary announced __________ as its 2020 word of
the year: Pandemic
922) World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated around
the world on which date? December 2
923) Government has announced launch of a luxury
cruise tour based on the epic Ramayana, on which
river? Saryu
924) Severe cyclonic storm Nivar made landfall early on
Dec 3 at Marakkanam in which state? Tamil Nadu
925) Which national day is observed on Dec 4 to mark the
fierce attack by Indian Navy on Karachi harbour?
National/Indian Navy Day
926) The Indian Navy along with Russian Federation
Navy conducted a joint naval exercise named ________
from 4to 5 December: PASSEX
927) The PASSEX exercise with Russian Navy was
conducted in which area? Eastern Indian Ocean
Region
928) Name the former Punjab Chief Minister and
Shiromani Akali Dal patron who announced to
return his Padma Vibhushan award in solidarity
with the farmers protesting against the three farm
laws: Parkash Singh Badal
929) The RBI has proposed to enhance the limit for
contactless card transactions from Rs 2,000 to
Rs______ from January 1, 2021: Rs. 5,000
930) Who has been named by TIME magazine as the first-
ever ‘Kid of the Year'? Gitanjali Rao
931) Who is the winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2020?
Ranjitsinh Disale from Gujarat
932) What is the cash award given with the Global
Teacher Prize? $ 1 million
933) Who has topped the list of the richest women in
India with a networth of Rs 54,850 crore? Roshni
Nadar Malhotra
934) Roshni Nadar Malhotra is the CEO of which
company? HCL Technologies
935) Scientists in which country have built the world's
first light-based quantum computer which is one
trillion times faster than the most powerful
supercomputer? China
936) Who has been elected as the new president of FICCI
for the year 2020-21? Uday Shankar
937) International Day of Banks is observed on which day
of December? Fourth
938) What is the theme of the World Soil Day observed on
Dec 5? Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity
939) Transparency International’s report titled “Global
Corruption Barometer – Asia” has found that
__________ has the highest bribery rate at 39%: India
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
940) The Indian Air Force carried out successful firing of
the short-range Igla missiles. They have been
supplied by which country? Russia
941) Which state proposes to set up Raimona National
Park that will cover an area of 422 sq km.? Assam
942) The government has given its nod to create a new
position in the India army. What is its name?
Deputy Chief of Army Staff – Strategy
943) Who is the first appointee to the newly created post
of Deputy Chief of Army Staff – Strategy? Lt Gen
Paramjit Singh
944) Japanese spaceship _______ successfully sent on earth
a small capsule to deliver samples collected by it
from a distant asteroid: Hayabusa-2
945) What is the name of the space agency of Japan?
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency – JAXA
946) International Volunteer Day is observed on which
date? December 5
947) Which two cities of Madhya Pradesh have been
included in the list of World Heritage Cities by
UNESCO? Gwalior and Orchha
948) Name the India’s top formula racer who created
history on Dec 6 as he became the first driver from
the country to win a Formula 2 race: Jehan
Daruwala
949) International Civil Aviation Day is observed on Dec
7 to highlight the role and importance of which
international organization? International Civil
Aviation Organisation
950) Where are the headquarters of the International
Civil Aviation Organisation located? Montreal,
Canada
951) Which national day is observed throughout the
country on Dec 7 to honour the martyrs and the men
in uniform: Armed Forces Flag Day
952) Asian Development Bank approved a $ 190 million
loan for modernisation and upgradation of power
distribution system in which Indian city?
Bengaluru
953) Which International day is observed on Dec 2 to
spread awareness about ending human trafficking
and the exploitation of humans? International Day
for Abolition of Slavery
954) Anil Soni has been appointed as the first Chief
Executive Officer of which international foundation?
WHO Foundation
955) Which Bank launched a new version of its mobile
payment app ‘iMobile Pay’ which allows its use to
customers of any other bank? ICICI Bank
956) The International Olympic Committee has
registered which dance form as an official Olympic
sport with the name breaking? Break-dance
957) __________ has become the second country in the
world to unfurl its national flag on the moon surface:
China
958) Which global bank approved technical assistance of
$ 2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) to support
advanced biofuels development in India? Asian
Development Bank
106
 959) Who has been declared World Athlete of the Year –
Male by the World Athletics? Mondo Duplantis of
Sweden
960) Mondo Duplantis is associated with which sports?
Pole Vault
961) Who is the winner of the World Athlete of the Year –
Female award? Yulimar Rojas
962) Yulimar Rojas is an outstanding champion of which
athletic event? Triple jump
963) Sergio Perez became the first Mexican victor (since
1970) in F1 race winning the Sakhir Grand Prix in
which country? Bahrain
964) Sergio Perez, winner of the Sakhir Grand Prix at
Bahrain, hails from which country? Mexico
965) Who became the first person to finish a half
marathon in under 58 minutes? Kibiwott Kandie
966) Kibiwott Kandie is a marathon runner from which
country? Kenya
967) International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on
which day of December? 9th
968) What is the theme of this year’s International Anti-
Corruption Day? Recover With Integrity
969) The Indian Navy celebrates National Submarine Day
on Dec 9 to commemorate the induction of the first
submarine named _______ : INS Kalvari
970) Nepal and China jointly announced on Dec 8 that the
revised height of the world's highest peak Mount
Everest. The new height is higher by which amount?
86cm
971) In the Forbes list of the world's 100 most powerful
women, who has been placed at top? Angela
Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
972) Which politician has secured highest rank, 41 st,
among Indians in the Forbes list of the world's 100
most powerful women? Nirmala Sitharaman,
Finance Minister
973) Parthiv Patel announced his retirement on Dec 9
from all forms of the game. He led which Ranji team
to its first victory? Gujarat
974) Which Indian organization won the International
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award? Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
975) The ICAR is based in which city? New Delhi
976) Indian journalist-author Raj Kamal Jha won the
Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020 for which
of his novel? The City and the Sea
977) India has been ranked at which place in the top 10
in the global Climate Change Performance Index
(CCPI) -2020? 10th
978) Which day of December has been selected for
celebrating the Human Rights Day? 10th
979) ________ has beaten Coronavirus to second place to
become India’s most searched word on Google in
2020: IPL - Indian Premier League
980) The union cabinet approved on Dec 8 which scheme
to incentivize creation of new employment
opportunities? Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar
Yojana
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
981) Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana
government will provide PF contribution of both
employee and of employer for how many years?
Two
982) ___________ has become the first Union Territory to
practise 100% organic farming? Lakshadweep
983) The Union Cabinet approved on Dec 9 the setting up
of public Wi-Fi networks across the length and
breadth of the country, by which name? PM Wi-Fi
Access Network Interface (WANI)
984) The Indian Navy has placed an order for supply of
‘SMASH 2000 Plus’ fire control systems with which
country? Israel
985) According to a report by Truecaller, India has been
placed at which placein terms of the number of spam
calls?9th
986) Who has been named by the prestigious TIME
magazine as '2020 Person of the Year'? Joe Biden
and Kamala Harris
987) Name the contemporary Indian dancer, renowned
for marrying Kathak and Kathakali into a unique
form, who died in Mumbai on Dec 10: Astad Deboo
988) Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has been re-
appointed as the Prime Minister of which Arabian
country? Kuwait
989) Which international day is observed with support
from UNO to encourage sustainable development in
mountains all over the world? International
Mountain Day
990) Who won FICCI Sportspersons of the Year-Men for
2020? Wrestler Bajrang Punia
991) Which female shooter won theFICCI Sportspersons
of the Year-Women for 2020? Elavenil Valarivan
992) A joint virtual summit was held between Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and President of __________
Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Dec 11: Uzbekistan
993) The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians
2020 was awarded to Dr. Carolina Araujo,
Mathematician from ________: Brazil
994) Which international day is celebrated every year to
mark the establishment of UNICEF on this day in
1946? UNICEF Day, Dec 11
995) Headquarters of UNICEF are located in which city?
New York
996) Who is the current head of the UNICEF? Ms.
Henrietta H. Fore
997) Which UN agency celebrates the International
Universal Health Coverage Day on Dec 12? WHO –
World Health Organisation
998) The summit named Climate Ambition Summit 2020
was held recently to mark fifth anniversary of which
climate agreement? Paris Climate Agreement
999) ___________ became the fourth Arab League country to
agree to normalise relations with Israel in a deal
brokered with US help: Morocco
1000) The first Trilateral Working Group Meeting between
India, _________ and Uzbekistan on joint use of
Chabahar Port was held on Dec 14 in virtual mode:
Iran
107
 1001) VidyavachaspatiBannanje Govindacharya, a 1022) The New Development Bank approved a $1 billion
renowned Sanskrit scholar and propagator of the
Madhva ideology, passed away recently. He hailed
from which state? Karnataka
1002) Which UN organization has decided to launch an
international prize in the field of ‘creative economy’
in the name of Bangabandhu? UNESCO
1003) Which great Bangladeshi leader is popularly known
as Bangabandhu? Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
1004) Headquarters of UNESCO are located in which city?
Paris
1005) Who is the current Director General of UNESCO?
Ms. Audrey Azoulay
1006) WHO signed a MoU also known as ‘Red Channel
Agreement’ with which popular NGO? Red Cross
1007) What is the name of the Nilgiri-class frigate that was
recently launched at Kolkata? INS Himgiri
1008) Max Verstappen, winner of the season-ending Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix, hails from which country?
Netherlands
1009) The National Energy Conservation Day is observed
on which day of December? 14th
1010) The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated
by which organization under the Ministry of Power?
Bureau of Energy Efficiency
1011) Yash Vardhan, the 17-year-old shooter from
___________ won gold in the 10m air rifle at the 6th
edition of the International Online Shooting
Championship: Rajasthan
1012) Vijay Diwas is observed every year on Dec 16 to
mark the victory over Pakistan in which war? 1971
1013) India Post Payments Bank launched a new digital
payment app for its customers to operate their
banking services online. What is its name? Dak Pay
1014) The United Kingdom has confirmed that Britain’s
Prime Minister ________ will be the chief guest at the
Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2021: Boris
Johnson
1015) The International Hockey Federation had
announced that the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World
Cup will be hosted in ______, India: Odisha
1016) ICGS Saksham and ICGS Sujeet,indigenously built
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) were commissioned
at Goa in which wing of Indian forces? Indian Coast
Guard
1017) Name the eminent aerospace scientist from
Karnataka who died at a private hospital in
Bengaluru on Dec 14: Roddam Narasimha
1018) Every year India and several tea producing
countries celebrate Tea Day on which date? Dec. 15
1019) Which is the largest tea producing state of India?
Assam
1020) Which country successfully test-launched its heavy
lift space rocket Angara A5 on Dec 14? Russia
1021) What is the name of the space agency of Russia?
Roscosmos
GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021
loan to provide support to _________ Abhiyan through
MGNREGA Scheme: Atma Nirbhar Bharat
1023) Name the 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur engineer
who won the Young Champions of the Earth 2020:
Vidyut Mohan
1024) India slipped by one spot to rank ______ among 189
countries covered in the 2020 Human Development
Index: 131
1025) Which country topped the 2020 Human
Development Index? Norway
1026) A capsule from which Chinese spacecraft
successfully brought back samples from the Moon’s
surface? Chang’e-5
1027) India signed a $400 million pact with the ____________
to protect the poor and vulnerable from the impact
of COVID-19: World Bank
1028) Name the American media personality who was
announced the highest-paid celebrity of 2020 by
Forbes in its Highest-Paid Celebrity List 2020: Kylie
Jenner
1029) Nana Akufo-Addo has been re-elected as the
President of ______ , a country in west Africa: Ghana
1030) ISRO successfully launched the country’s new
communication satellite. What is its name? CMS-01
1031) Government has decided to include ________
henceforth as a competitive sport and part of sports
disciplines in all national and university games:
Yoga
1032) ISRO has set up a dedicated Space Situational
Awareness (SSA) Control Centre named
______________ , at its ISTRAC campus at Peenya,
Bengaluru: NETRTA
1033) The foundation stone of the world's largest
renewable energy park was laid in __________,
Gujarat: Kutch
1034) India contributed $ 1 million to which global sports
body? World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
1035) Which country has been banned from using its
name, flag and anthem at the next Olympics or any
world championships for the next two years?
Russia
1036) Which international day is observed every year on
Dec 18 to protect the rights of migrant workers and
of members of their families? International
Migrants Day
1037) What is the theme for this year’s International
Migrants Day? Reimagining Human Mobility
1038) India celebrates Minorities Rights Day on Dec 18.
How many minority communities are recognized in
India? Six
1039) _______________ has become the first zoo in the country
to receive the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management
Standards Certification from the Accreditation
Services for Certification Bodies (ASCB), UK: Nehru
Zoological Park, Hyderabad
1040) Who won the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2020 Award?
Robert Lewandowski
108
 1041) Robert Lewandowski hails from which country? ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FORM
Poland
1042) Which player won the Best FIFA women’s Player FOR HARD/SOFT COPY
2020 Award? Lucy Bronze, England TO SUBSCRIBE THE MAGAZINE
1043) The 35th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated
Patrol was conducted by Navies of India and
WhatsApp or SMS <MAGAZINE> TO 09646888377
Indonesia in which area? Indian Ocean SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD: ONLY 12 MONTHS
1044) The Olympic Council of Asia awarded hosting of FROM (MONTH) …………………..TO……………. (MONTH)
2030 Asian Games to _________ and of 2034 Asian AMOUNT:
Games to ___________ : Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Rs. 700/- For Hard Copy
Arabia, respectively Rs. 400/- For Soft Copy
Name: Mr./Ms……………………………………………….………
1045) Which country’s tradition of communal dining at
hawker centres, open air food courts has been
Address:…………………………………………………………….…
recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance?
Singapore …………………………………………………………………City
1046) Which Bank in partnership with Mastercard, :……………………………District:…………………….
launched India’s first metal credit card – ‘PIONEER State: ………………..…………………..PIN:
Heritage’? IndusInd Bank Email: …………………………………………………………………..
1047) The Human Freedom Index 2020 placed India at the
________spot out of 162 countries: 111th
Ph./Mob…………………………………………………..…………
1048) Which country topped the Human Freedom Index
2020? New Zealand The subscription amount can be
1049) India’s first advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
Facility of DRDO was inaugurated at which place? remitted to our following account:
Hyderabad
1050) The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of
which four indigenous games to be a part of Khelo
India Youth Games 2021? Gatka, Kalaripayattu,
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Thang Ta and Mallakhamb
PARTICULARS OF REMITTANCE:
1051) Martial art Thang Ta is associated with which state?
Amount remitted: Rs………… Date:…./…./……
Manipur
Bank………………………………..Branch……………
1052) Name the Congress veteran, who was twice Chief
Minister of Madhya Pradesh and former Governor of Transaction no…………………………..
UP, who passed away a day after his 93rd birthday:
DATE:_________ Signature
Motilal Vora
1053) International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated on (Magazine will be sent through Online Mode only)
which date? Dec 20 GYANM: SCO 13-15, 2nd FLOOR, SEC 34-A, CHANDIGARH
1054) Name the 19 year old female wrestler from Haryana PH: 0172-4052124, 9117-34 34 34
who won a silver in the 57 kg category at the World
Cup in Belgrade, Serbia: Anshu Malik
1055) President of which country conferred the country’s
highest decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree
Chief Commander, upon Prime Minister Narendra
Modi? USA
1056) Amit Panghal, Manisha Moun and Simranjit Kaur, all
three won gold medal in the World Cup of which
sports? Boxing
1057) Who has been honoured with the Assocham
Enterprise of the Century Award? Ratan Tata
1058) National Mathematics Day is observed in India on
which date? Dec 22
1059) National Mathematics Daycommemorates the birth
anniversary of which legendary mathematician?
Srinivasa Ramanujan

Edited, Printed and Published by Varinder Mohan Singh Grover for

Gyanm Education and Training Institute Pvt. Ltd., SCO 13-14-15, 2nd
Floor, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh

GYANM GENERAL AWARENESS – JULY 2021 109